logs in snow

The logs on the edge of the pond are partly submersed for the critters to use them in many ways spring, summer, and autumn  . . .   to watch for prey in the water below, to watch for dragonflies flying above, or merely take a nap in the sunshine.

This winter, after several snowstorms, the logs are all under an icy blanket.  Even the big rock, which we use to gauge the water level, is under snow.

turtle tower

Painted Turtles Chrysemys picta of all sizes live in the pond.  They are oval shaped, and the carapace (top)  can be almost black to dark olive green.  The plastron (bottom) varies from red to orange with differing amounts of black patterning.  The older ones are as big as ten inches long, with the females being bigger than males.

These two 10" turtles are starting a 'turtle tower' on their favorite rock.

large turtle, medium turtle, small turtle

crow on rocks

The rocks scattered around the pond are revealed as the water level changes with rain or drought. It is always interesting to see what critter might rest, sun itself, or defend (for a moment) a particular dry rock.

This crow was trying to fetch seeds from the water surface by standing on two rocks.

ice holes on pond

Cold, grey, blustery weather on the pond.

The water is covered by a thick layer of ice and snow drifts. Where the ice is visible between the drifts, a few holes break the smooth solid sheet. These seem to form where plant matter floating close to the surface or a submerged rock interrupted the process of liquid freezing to solid.

small turtle, big turtle

The turtles are practicing balancing rocks today.

Or, the big one coaxed the small one to help it hold a pose. 

convivial ducks

This summer has been very scant on rainfall so far.  The pond water level is currently low, and there is plenty of algae floating.  But the rocks are always good places for sharing the sunshine.  Female Mallard and Hooded Merganser have raised their young broods here, and shared the big rock today.

gleeful painted turtle

The painted turtles who live in the pond love to sit in the sun, especially on rocks near the water. There, each can enjoy the warmth and (in case of danger) slip into the water to hide if needed. This young little critter, about 4 inches long, looked so gleeful today with its feet extended out to catch as much sunshine as possible.

basking turtles

Many Painted Turtles Chrysemys picta live in the pond. On sunny days they climb out of the water and bask in the sun to warm their blood.  In this temperate Spring weather, they spread all their appendages including head and neck out of the shell to get maximum exposure.

dove on rock

The Mourning Doves Zenaida macroura spent winter near the pond in nearby bushes and tree cover. This one is celebrating Spring by investigating the water and rocks in the pond. 

Its bright pink-orange feet made it through another cold season by the 'wonderful net' of arteries. This adaptation interweaves blood vessels from and to the heart so birds don’t lose much heat through their feet. Read more at

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/why-dont-birds-get-cold-feet/

https://www.birdnote.org/listen/shows/why-birds-feet-dont-freeze

green frogs on rocks

Usually, the frogs who live here sit on shore hiding among grasses looking for prey insects or invertebrates.

But when a rock is available, Green Frogs Rana clamitans prefer to sit in the sun and wait for a meal to present itself.  

balanced turtle

This turtle was probably thinking it could be the top part of a balanced rock sculpture.  Or, maybe seeking a sunny rock and believed this would be it.  Not enough rocks for a sculpture, nor the right shape to be comfortable!

sandpiper

 A hot sultry day in August.  The pond was quiet.  Several rocks appeared offshore in the last few days, exposed by the lack of rain and lower water level.  Good for sandpipers hunting lunch.  This Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria shows off its white eye ring while it waits on a rock to spot a meal in or on the water -- aquatic invertebrates such as larvae, worms, flies, or mollusks.  

birds on the branch

Eastern Bluebirds also like to sit on the branch over the pond.

Many flying creatures use this branch as a place to spot a prey item to eat, or a place to rest, or a place to socialize.

In this photo, after some rain, the rock behind the Bluebirds is under water.  It is our gauge for the water level in the pond.

Below, a turtle sits on the same rock on a day when the water level is lower.

green heron hunting

Green Herons look small and stocky (pictured here), until one is hunting for a meal on the shore of the pond.  Then they stretch their neck full length  to reach the prey.

They hang out in small freshwater wetlands near ponds and streams lined with thick vegetation.  All the better to hide in while hunting. 

Herons are opportunistic feeders . . .  they'll eat fish or whatever they find along the shore . . . aquatic insects, frogs, grasshoppers, snakes, or small rodents.

A Green Heron Butorides virescens is one of the few birds that actually uses tools.  They will try a variety of baits and lures, including leaves, insects, earthworms, twigs, or feathers . . .  dropping the item onto the surface of the water and grabbing the small fish that comes up.

We saw this one pick up floating bits and fling them back on to the water surface.

It was a lovely day, although hot and humid. This pond is part of the stormwater system. The technique uses creeks, ponds, wetlands, lakes, and ditches to manage stormwater run-off. All of the water gathered makes its way to the St. Croix River or infiltrates into the groundwater aquifer.

Painted Turtle

Lack of rain has exposed some of the rocks in the pond as water level recedes.  The Painted Turtles Chrysemys picta climb on the rocks to bask in the sun.  Females grow to 10 inches, while males are slightly smaller at full size.  They are common in Minnesota, and sometimes called "mud turtles".

reflections on a rock

Wandering in the woods, I came upon this rock.  It has been there a long while and I've walked by it before.  But today it looked more interesting with a pool of rainwater in the depression, reflecting the tree trunks above.