Any regular reader of my blog knows that it somewhat serves
as a diary of what I do in life. However
regular readers also know that, so now and then, I participate in a challenge,
in particular one from a photo
blog I particularly like. I really
do not know what got in her head wanting you to post something that relates to
water or the season of winter. I have
plenty of each in my arsenal, but what the heck, to celebrate this mild summer
I decided to combine the two.
This picture was taken on January 22nd of this
year, less than 1500 feet behind our home.
It is one of the largest ephemeral ponds (aka Grafton ponds) in the
woods behind our home. In the fall,
winter and spring the ponds are typically wet; while in the summer they are
dry. In the summer the area behind our
home is teaming with mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers, and to tell you the truth
we haven’t gone back there since early May, and I really miss walking there
with the dogs. I guess it is time to
spray myself with some poison and venture out.
I kind of feel what’s called “nature deficit disorder” lately.
These ponds are wonderful for amphibians such as frogs and
salamanders. Since the ponds dry up in
the summer, they cannot support a fish population which would eat all the
tadpoles, and yes the only things we see at times are a few wood ducks and an occasional
heron. So, yes they are great for these
critters. I know I have mentioned that
before; but because of this, our ponds are the home of the endangered Mabee
salamander.
A few years ago I walked over to this pond every Sunday at 3
pm for two years in a row (rain or shine), to take a photograph from the same
spot. It is amazing to see all the
changes that occur from week to week. In
particular the Sunday after hurricane Isabel hit our area. No trees down, but the week before there was
no water in the pond, and the Sunday after Isabel the water was easily 4 feet
deep. My wife and I are still toying
with the idea of producing a picture book about the ponds behind our home.
As you can see, I miss the ponds and I think it is time to
brave all the insects and go out back!
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