tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1452044540182200742024-03-13T12:38:31.485+00:00My Wildlife Pond Project BlogA blog about the Wildlife Ponds I have established in my garden and the wildlife that they have attracted.Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-31818254898812291902017-03-18T23:00:00.000+00:002017-03-19T18:01:47.826+00:00More Frogspawn - 18/03/2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It looks like the frogs have been</div>
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busy again laying more frogspawn.</div>
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The bug hotel is looking weathered now:</div>
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Wildlife Pond Project #2:</div>
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A curious resident Robin:</div>
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Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-39770783935665891702017-03-16T23:00:00.000+00:002017-03-17T09:20:20.967+00:00Frogspawn - 16/03/2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHRrLJlxgEE/WMumI8ZEVZI/AAAAAAAAE7M/r4R7655FwOYZIgcq3AIIoxVhAnx2QLimQCLcB/s1600/frogspawn-01-16March2017.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OHRrLJlxgEE/WMumI8ZEVZI/AAAAAAAAE7M/r4R7655FwOYZIgcq3AIIoxVhAnx2QLimQCLcB/s400/frogspawn-01-16March2017.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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I counted at least seven frogs</div>
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in my pond last night,</div>
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with four of them paired up together.</div>
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Before I went to work this morning</div>
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I had a quick look in the pond to see if </div>
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any frogspawn had been laid overnight.</div>
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Yes, freshly laid frogspawn and tiny too.</div>
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When I returned home from work</div>
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I went back to the pond with my phone</div>
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and took a couple of photos for my blog.</div>
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It looked more like frogspawn now</div>
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as it had swollen since I last saw it.</div>
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Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-66099538538445120072017-02-26T17:26:00.002+00:002017-03-17T12:17:24.452+00:00Frisky Frogs - 26/02/2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I sat and looked out the kitchen window yesterday on yet another wet miserable day I wondered if I'd get frogspawn again this year and if so, whether it would come earlier due to the milder winter weather.</div>
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This afternoon after dinner, having washed the dishes I decided to brave the wind and rain to put the bins out and top up of the bird feeders with sunflower hearts seeing how the Goldfinches had polished it all off yesterday.</div>
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After topping up the feeders I thought I'd have a quick look in on the pond and that's when I noticed something under the water. At first I thought it was a dead frog but when I looked closer I realised that there were in fact two frogs and they weren't dead but were hard at work.<br />
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I raced back into the house, grabbed my camera and was able to take a few quick shots for my blog. </div>
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It looks like I might be</div>
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getting frogspawn again after all.</div>
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Fingers crossed it</div>
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stays mild until Spring.</div>
Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-76967262178951279522016-06-05T23:00:00.000+01:002016-06-12T22:49:32.922+01:00Blooming - 5/06/2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i1p4TQ5-5DQ/V13WgLA0DzI/AAAAAAAAEyU/OaGNvsC_oLMKMi_pkYAGOo-FuE5wQ-mPgCLcB/s1600/DSC04382.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i1p4TQ5-5DQ/V13WgLA0DzI/AAAAAAAAEyU/OaGNvsC_oLMKMi_pkYAGOo-FuE5wQ-mPgCLcB/s400/DSC04382.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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The Yellow Flag Irises have flowered</div>
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and the pond plants are thriving.</div>
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The Winter Mint plant has</div>
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done very well this summer</div>
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and I've had to cut it back a bit</div>
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to stop it taking over completely.</div>
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The pond looks much more established now.</div>
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Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-59621844030332764682016-06-05T22:00:00.000+01:002016-06-12T22:55:03.021+01:00Frogs Galore - 5/06/2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I spent today watching frogs in the pond. Most of the tadpoles which hadn't developed last Summer have now started turning into froglets and therefore there have been lots of little froglets in and around the pond during the last few weeks.</div>
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Lots of places to hideaway</div>
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in Wildlife Pond #2,</div>
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look close and you start to see</div>
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them climbing up the plants:</div>
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A closer view:</div>
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I watched a few of them</div>
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swim across the pond:</div>
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I must have counted<br />
around twenty in total.</div>
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The frog in the following photo<br />
is the biggest visitor to my pond as of late<br />
and I think he must be from the first batches<br />
of tadpoles I had back in 2012 or 2013:</div>
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Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-41109421852076895772016-04-13T15:20:00.000+01:002017-02-26T17:32:14.500+00:00Hidden Delights - 13/04/2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Look what I found hidden behind</div>
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the Scirpus Cernuus plants</div>
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in the small wildlife pond.</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
FROGSPAWN!!!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJPrsPkqcy4/Vw5TB1qOj4I/AAAAAAAAEvY/wBai9npOVR4RfMedfP0tLotp5QR7ziJtQCLcB/s1600/DSC04133.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJPrsPkqcy4/Vw5TB1qOj4I/AAAAAAAAEvY/wBai9npOVR4RfMedfP0tLotp5QR7ziJtQCLcB/s400/DSC04133.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Two clumps of it.<br />
<br />
Also, hidden behind the same plant</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the bigger pond another clump!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYTiqyBT1FA/Vw5TENUs9bI/AAAAAAAAEvk/VT1MA9Sld6oI-qKtZVzwJXdVnFUZ9_DUACLcB/s1600/DSC04136.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYTiqyBT1FA/Vw5TENUs9bI/AAAAAAAAEvk/VT1MA9Sld6oI-qKtZVzwJXdVnFUZ9_DUACLcB/s400/DSC04136.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not as noticeable in the bigger pond</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but get your hands in amongst it</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and you can see quite clearly</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that it is indeed frogspawn.</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ThVkUehzB00/Vw5TC2QErJI/AAAAAAAAEvg/9WoAYd8TJcwrNKTozVmxfd1iRW_0BgUNgCLcB/s1600/DSC04135.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ThVkUehzB00/Vw5TC2QErJI/AAAAAAAAEvg/9WoAYd8TJcwrNKTozVmxfd1iRW_0BgUNgCLcB/s400/DSC04135.png" width="300" /></a></div>
Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-64725907036381675562016-04-12T23:50:00.000+01:002017-02-26T17:33:21.740+00:00Still No Frogspawn - 12/04/2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K6nOXiIB9Wg/Vw1zrFGqpwI/AAAAAAAAEt4/yaJCBo9nzoggJkKs92Gae6qxLWdg6CiiACLcB/s1600/DSC04120.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K6nOXiIB9Wg/Vw1zrFGqpwI/AAAAAAAAEt4/yaJCBo9nzoggJkKs92Gae6qxLWdg6CiiACLcB/s400/DSC04120.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
No signs of any frogs so far,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the chances of frogspawn</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
now looking very slim. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's been more rain here and so</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the lawn remains somewhat soggy.</div>
<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
However, the grass seed I put</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
down as now started to grow:</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It looks like the birds</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
didn't eat it all after all!</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Bug Hotel still open for business:</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The feeding stations on the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Acer tree are being well used:</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
In particular, I've lost count of how</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
many times I've had to refill the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sunflower Hearts feeding station:</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Goldfinches are </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
never away from it now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On one occasion I counted</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
seven of them on the Acer tree. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We added another station too:</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This one is closer to the house<br />
and gives us an even better<br />
view of the Goldfinches<br />
from the kitchen window.<br />
<br /></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
For the first time too,</div>
we had Long Tailed Tits visit.<br />
<br />
I think they were looking<br />
for somewhere to nest.<br />
<br /></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
All the rain we've had means</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the ponds are well topped up.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wonder if any frogs<br />
are hiding in Frogitat:</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Monkey Bird Bath</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
looks more like a Bird Toilet!</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The pond plants are doing okay:</div>
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</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lots of new growth to be seen:</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Yellow Flag Iris have</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
started to grow again:</div>
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Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-26412213379228739172016-03-25T19:00:00.000+00:002016-04-12T23:55:59.280+01:00Sunshine at Last - 25/03/2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sZlbFRSkj6s/VwzitqTU6MI/AAAAAAAAEsk/pkMge2eFUmgNGqOWg-7PXlgP-iEh2ErtACLcB/s1600/MonkeyBirdBath.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sZlbFRSkj6s/VwzitqTU6MI/AAAAAAAAEsk/pkMge2eFUmgNGqOWg-7PXlgP-iEh2ErtACLcB/s400/MonkeyBirdBath.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Finally we had some sun today</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the puddles dried up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The grass (whats left of it),</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
took a good hammering this winter.<br />
<br />
All the rain has left the lawn</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
extremely waterlogged.<br />
<br />
My Wife planted some new grasses<br />
and hopefully by Summer they'll be bushy: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
No frogspawn in the pond yet,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
not sure I'll get any this year now.</div>
<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are still some tadpoles</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the pond from last Summer.<br />
<br />
They have now started<br />
to grow their back legs.</div>
<br />
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</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nothing to report from Pond Project #1:</div>
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Bug Hotel is starting to look weathered:</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did spot odd one or two creepy crawlies</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
moving around in it when I checked today.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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I added some twigs to the top of</div>
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the bug hotel for the birds to use</div>
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when they start building their nests:</div>
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Spent the afternoon forking the lawn:</div>
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After what seemed like forever, </div>
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when I'd finished grafting I</div>
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put down a load of grass seed.</div>
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We'll wait now</div>
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and see if new grass appears.</div>
Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-28837853511898007662016-03-04T16:00:00.000+00:002016-04-12T16:15:21.291+01:00More Rain - 4/03/2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a milder winter</div>
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but the rain seems never ending.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I've not been out to my pond lately</div>
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as it's far too muddy outside.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I wonder how it's doing?</div>
Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-31007490399866577552016-01-10T14:00:00.000+00:002016-01-10T14:19:18.566+00:00After the Rain - 10/01/2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rp1aBDtm2I0/VpJhzfmkhBI/AAAAAAAAErs/0Vik0X_gaWI/s1600/DSC02720.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rp1aBDtm2I0/VpJhzfmkhBI/AAAAAAAAErs/0Vik0X_gaWI/s400/DSC02720.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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Having removed most of the leaves out of the pond back in November, I'd not been out to look at it much since then as the garden had been too wet to venture out onto. </div>
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However, I had to go out into the garden today to fix the washing line which had broken recently when we left clothes on it one night during heavy wind and rain. As you can see from photos taken today, the pond is doing okay:</div>
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Thanks to the amount of rainfall we've had, </div>
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Wildlife Pond #1 is looking healthy:</div>
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The front of the Bug Hotel</div>
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got a good soaking:</div>
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A rather muddy and waterlogged garden:</div>
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Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-74009918100338923392015-11-08T21:00:00.000+00:002015-11-14T20:47:12.871+00:00Another Week of Leaves - 8/11/2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpo8M7MmyA8/VkeaoPYs6cI/AAAAAAAAEpk/rmv8_a4JToY/s1600/DSC01319.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpo8M7MmyA8/VkeaoPYs6cI/AAAAAAAAEpk/rmv8_a4JToY/s400/DSC01319.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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Spent most of the day clearing</div>
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more leaves out of my pond</div>
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which had fallen during the week.</div>
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At least the most had stayed on the surface</div>
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which made removing them alot easier.</div>
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Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-13576928844580271492015-10-18T23:00:00.000+01:002015-10-25T19:26:24.428+00:00Picking up Leaves - 18/10/2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The arrival of Autumn signals the start of the neverending task of clearing the garden of fallen leaves. </div>
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Keeping on top of this ensures that any leaves that have fallen into the pond are removed quickly to avoid them decomposing and turning the water stagnant. </div>
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With a huge tree hanging over the garden</div>
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there is always plenty to pick up each day!</div>
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My cat seems to enjoy</div>
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watching me hard at work.</div>
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Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-56601090701040587402015-09-26T23:00:00.000+01:002015-10-25T21:57:01.465+00:00First Autumn Tidy Up - 26/9/2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
A selection of photos taken</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
during the first Autumn pond tidy up.</div>
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I had a tidy up of the little wildlife pond,</div>
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cutting back the Iris plants and splitting one</div>
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of the Scirpus Cernuus plants into two pots.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wildlife Pond Project #1</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">after a tidy up.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zC7Qpdc1-Gw/Vi0goawGGRI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/1zOKREgjudI/s1600/DSC01192.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zC7Qpdc1-Gw/Vi0goawGGRI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/1zOKREgjudI/s400/DSC01192.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">One half of the Scirpus Cernuss repotted.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gvTWYh7cPyU/Vi0gojolGOI/AAAAAAAAEmU/j8K-tI64GX8/s1600/DSC01193.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gvTWYh7cPyU/Vi0gojolGOI/AAAAAAAAEmU/j8K-tI64GX8/s400/DSC01193.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The other half of the Scirpus Cernuus.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n5ZbWibV3gQ/Vi0gwIRa3NI/AAAAAAAAEmw/t4UwpLGh7gQ/s1600/DSC01197.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n5ZbWibV3gQ/Vi0gwIRa3NI/AAAAAAAAEmw/t4UwpLGh7gQ/s400/DSC01197.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">My Wife planted</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">a couple of Black Dragons,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">from another plant which had multiplied.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8lguIC8ntmc/Vi0gu1ZHT5I/AAAAAAAAEmo/XKnBWXJ_P5k/s1600/DSC01198.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8lguIC8ntmc/Vi0gu1ZHT5I/AAAAAAAAEmo/XKnBWXJ_P5k/s400/DSC01198.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I divided the Scirpus cernuus</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">in the bigger pond too.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">That's a total of three in the big pond now.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">These should provide good cover</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">for the frogs next year.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cj_P2zZs_jI/Vi0gw4IFEeI/AAAAAAAAEm0/BKJkOFVW1KA/s1600/DSC01206.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cj_P2zZs_jI/Vi0gw4IFEeI/AAAAAAAAEm0/BKJkOFVW1KA/s400/DSC01206.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wildlife Pond Project #2</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">after a tidy up.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nh4KNioxtI0/Vi0gyQ9fxKI/AAAAAAAAEnA/8KL2soJPOWA/s1600/DSC01208.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nh4KNioxtI0/Vi0gyQ9fxKI/AAAAAAAAEnA/8KL2soJPOWA/s400/DSC01208.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wildlife Pond Project #1 and #2</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xu1V17Db_-M/Vi0g56-KSsI/AAAAAAAAEnU/HPG0beHz4ng/s1600/DSC01209.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xu1V17Db_-M/Vi0g56-KSsI/AAAAAAAAEnU/HPG0beHz4ng/s400/DSC01209.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wildlife Project #1 and the Bug Hotel.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3i-HucaWaS4/Vi0g3l5QzOI/AAAAAAAAEnI/5NBb3WtB6N8/s1600/DSC01212.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3i-HucaWaS4/Vi0g3l5QzOI/AAAAAAAAEnI/5NBb3WtB6N8/s400/DSC01212.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I've resisted thinning out the elodea crispa</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">as keeping it the pond stops the leaves that</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">fall in from sinking to the bottom.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This is a lesson I learnt the hard way last year. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TXkN8N_YbUc/Vi0g5t4hToI/AAAAAAAAEnQ/Om7M0rbPLA8/s1600/DSC01213.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TXkN8N_YbUc/Vi0g5t4hToI/AAAAAAAAEnQ/Om7M0rbPLA8/s400/DSC01213.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">A view of the hairgrass plant which</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">provided cover the tadpoles in Spring.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AYVS4IkvIig/Vi0g7FvFF9I/AAAAAAAAEng/BOaPPRQfze8/s1600/DSC01214.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AYVS4IkvIig/Vi0g7FvFF9I/AAAAAAAAEng/BOaPPRQfze8/s400/DSC01214.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is where some of the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
young frogs have been hanging out,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the long grass next to the old bike shed. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDmk1E21iYE/Vi0g8EikpII/AAAAAAAAEno/gBT0Q4MFwiA/s1600/DSC01215.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dDmk1E21iYE/Vi0g8EikpII/AAAAAAAAEno/gBT0Q4MFwiA/s400/DSC01215.png" width="300" /></a></div>
Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-2613496028161447032015-09-13T23:30:00.000+01:002015-09-14T00:10:01.741+01:00Frogs & Butterflies - 13/9/2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTowgmgMME8/VfX2pPLbibI/AAAAAAAAElw/CzAYNzlRaQA/s1600/frogs-06-13Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTowgmgMME8/VfX2pPLbibI/AAAAAAAAElw/CzAYNzlRaQA/s400/frogs-06-13Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was able to spend some time relaxing in the garden this morning and managed to get some photos of the froglets that have now left the pond. Some are are bigger than others as you can see in the photos.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-URhKpq1G8cQ/VfX2pihp5UI/AAAAAAAAEl0/3rVMRhSrL40/s1600/frogs-07-13Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-URhKpq1G8cQ/VfX2pihp5UI/AAAAAAAAEl0/3rVMRhSrL40/s400/frogs-07-13Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can spot four in the photo below,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
can you see them too?</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zCGeRPJTkKU/VfX2mYEN-KI/AAAAAAAAElQ/uN5RxzPRv3M/s1600/frogs-02-13Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zCGeRPJTkKU/VfX2mYEN-KI/AAAAAAAAElQ/uN5RxzPRv3M/s400/frogs-02-13Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ey4wfoL08yI/VfX2oayN7dI/AAAAAAAAElk/zA6kbb6PrN4/s1600/frogs-05-13Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ey4wfoL08yI/VfX2oayN7dI/AAAAAAAAElk/zA6kbb6PrN4/s400/frogs-05-13Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The little frog below had just exited out </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of the pond and climbed onto the rock.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RoQGOc2Cso/VfX2nDvKMPI/AAAAAAAAElY/ge1BiRCSGm0/s1600/frogs-03-13Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RoQGOc2Cso/VfX2nDvKMPI/AAAAAAAAElY/ge1BiRCSGm0/s400/frogs-03-13Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Whilst putting away some garden furniture I discovered that some of the frogs that have left the pond have moved into one of the little sheds at the side of the house. I'm not sure if these two frogs are ganging up on this spider or are just happy to be in it's company:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FRPcziT2jqE/VfX2lf0QKaI/AAAAAAAAElA/Z9UiSOf0zow/s1600/frogs-01-13Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FRPcziT2jqE/VfX2lf0QKaI/AAAAAAAAElA/Z9UiSOf0zow/s400/frogs-01-13Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My youngest daughter found</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a butterfly in the garden:</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yfi6zWeyWNg/VfX2k0F6e8I/AAAAAAAAEk8/Ou0F4k22AxY/s1600/butterfly-01-13Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yfi6zWeyWNg/VfX2k0F6e8I/AAAAAAAAEk8/Ou0F4k22AxY/s400/butterfly-01-13Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think it's a 'Speckled Wood'</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wzAoGmHc55k/VfX2kjBSrvI/AAAAAAAAEk4/5Xdd3m6-o8o/s1600/butterfly-02-13Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wzAoGmHc55k/VfX2kjBSrvI/AAAAAAAAEk4/5Xdd3m6-o8o/s400/butterfly-02-13Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-63028469063866452902015-09-12T22:30:00.000+01:002015-09-13T16:42:09.986+01:00Autumn Fast Approaching - 12/9/2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C17rTRkbCUk/VfSWJ4sbNdI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/ABU111bsdP8/s1600/photo-03-12Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C17rTRkbCUk/VfSWJ4sbNdI/AAAAAAAAEjQ/ABU111bsdP8/s400/photo-03-12Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's hard to believe that </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Autumn is nearly upon us, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
where did the Summer go?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know I spent June taking part </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in the 30 Days Wild Challenge,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but as for July and August</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
those months just seem to come and go.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't remember what I got up to</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
during those months but I do know </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that I hardly spent anytime on</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my home computer blogging. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's a quick update </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on what's been happening:</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBVHbS19ZrY/VfSWU4R4veI/AAAAAAAAEkA/Ri08Mh564G8/s1600/photo-06-12Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBVHbS19ZrY/VfSWU4R4veI/AAAAAAAAEkA/Ri08Mh564G8/s400/photo-06-12Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nearly all the tadpoles have developed into froglets and I've enjoyed spending many an evening watching them hopping around the garden or being chased by my cat! I'm impressed just how many garden nooks and crannies have a resident froglet now.<br />
<br />
They vary in size but it does look like alot made it out safely which is good news, although my Dad does warn me that sooner or later I'll be swamped with them!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DgcWyl8oqwY/VfSWMgXotvI/AAAAAAAAEjs/HSqiv1XNYOo/s1600/photo-05-12Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DgcWyl8oqwY/VfSWMgXotvI/AAAAAAAAEjs/HSqiv1XNYOo/s400/photo-05-12Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I only have to sit near the pond for a few</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
seconds before I see movement in the grass.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iyD9Lsobmlk/VfSWKwm87RI/AAAAAAAAEjc/fKQdpVOwoOg/s1600/photo-02-12Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iyD9Lsobmlk/VfSWKwm87RI/AAAAAAAAEjc/fKQdpVOwoOg/s400/photo-02-12Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Water Mint in the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wildlife Pond Project #2</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
did well this year and flowered</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for the first time:</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xysytmULuqU/VfSWKH4EpVI/AAAAAAAAEjU/RZElsMEXjl8/s1600/photo-01-12Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xysytmULuqU/VfSWKH4EpVI/AAAAAAAAEjU/RZElsMEXjl8/s400/photo-01-12Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've seen plenty of movement in the Bug Hotel</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and insects do seem to be coming and going.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2dnlhwnxBIs/VfSWWqM8h8I/AAAAAAAAEkU/4CPpbBHCFtM/s1600/photo-10-12Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2dnlhwnxBIs/VfSWWqM8h8I/AAAAAAAAEkU/4CPpbBHCFtM/s400/photo-10-12Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Recently I noticed a hole had been seeled over</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in one of the wooden blocks I'd put in the hotel.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not sure what has moved in</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but I'm sure it'll stay until next Spring now.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s7UnDBDjuGo/VfSWL9dd43I/AAAAAAAAEjo/--tfQmo4G8A/s1600/photo-04-12Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s7UnDBDjuGo/VfSWL9dd43I/AAAAAAAAEjo/--tfQmo4G8A/s400/photo-04-12Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The little wildlife pond seems to be attracting the more mature frogs and I think that might be due to the mosquito larvae that seems to be abundant in it most of the time. <br />
<br />
I like to top this pond up with water regularly as without the top ups it tends to dry up thanks to the rather thirsty Irises.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aUwoDfQiBGo/VfSWU_xd_LI/AAAAAAAAEj8/l654qKW_vTY/s1600/photo-07-12Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aUwoDfQiBGo/VfSWU_xd_LI/AAAAAAAAEj8/l654qKW_vTY/s400/photo-07-12Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Speaking of frogs, whilst taking some photos of the little pond, this handsome little chap decided he wanted his photo taken.<br />
<br />
He's not one of the usual resident frogs as he's much smaller and I'm guessing he's one of the first frogs that developed from the spawn this year.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5dN3ElHuR2s/VfSWUh1f9LI/AAAAAAAAEj4/s2B5EngIT4Q/s1600/photo-08-12Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5dN3ElHuR2s/VfSWUh1f9LI/AAAAAAAAEj4/s2B5EngIT4Q/s400/photo-08-12Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was able to get a close up too:</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0deWl0FGzbM/VfSWV21OAII/AAAAAAAAEkQ/AwcRWejzg4g/s1600/photo-09-12Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0deWl0FGzbM/VfSWV21OAII/AAAAAAAAEkQ/AwcRWejzg4g/s400/photo-09-12Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It won't be long now before the leaves</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
begin falling and I will be forever</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
picking them out of the pond. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9tbLO6ZgK3c/VfSWaxkjr6I/AAAAAAAAEkg/4iPZSAZVACk/s1600/photo-11-12Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9tbLO6ZgK3c/VfSWaxkjr6I/AAAAAAAAEkg/4iPZSAZVACk/s400/photo-11-12Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been a good year so far in the garden</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and what great wildlife I've had.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've had hedgehogs, newts, frogs,</div>
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tadpoles and for the first time goldfinches too.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rx46mId7who/VfSWbLFA4BI/AAAAAAAAEkk/iYb72rFVlf8/s1600/photo-12-12Sept2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rx46mId7who/VfSWbLFA4BI/AAAAAAAAEkk/iYb72rFVlf8/s400/photo-12-12Sept2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-51378494051374292152015-08-03T23:20:00.000+01:002015-08-03T23:24:17.553+01:00Toadtastic - 03/8/2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pr8aD8L2SWQ/Vb_mwb69RpI/AAAAAAAAEig/Q-iVtcQieqs/s1600/toadtastic-01-3Aug2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pr8aD8L2SWQ/Vb_mwb69RpI/AAAAAAAAEig/Q-iVtcQieqs/s400/toadtastic-01-3Aug2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was in the garden earlier today having a look at my pond, the <a href="http://my-wildlife-pond-project.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/building-bug-hotel-2452015.html">bug hotel</a> and finally that little <a href="http://my-wildlife-pond-project.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/a-den-of-kind-0272015.html">wildlife den</a> I'd made a few weeks back when I noticed something move nearby. As I moved in for a closer look I quickly realised it was a toad and so carefully picked it up and shouted in to my girls to get the camera.</div>
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We each spent a couple of minutes holding the toad, I took a couple of photos and then I placed it carefully back down in the area I'd found it. I'm assuming that this toad is from the tadpoles I had couple of years ago and it has now reached maturity.</div>
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Both my girls had never seen a toad before so holding it was a first for them both. My youngest was slightly apprehensive holding it hence the slightly blurry second photo.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pf7tL3xlNhw/Vb_mwl7Xo0I/AAAAAAAAEik/uThVxEfx7A0/s1600/toadtastic-02-3Aug2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pf7tL3xlNhw/Vb_mwl7Xo0I/AAAAAAAAEik/uThVxEfx7A0/s400/toadtastic-02-3Aug2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-69340229235381711442015-07-24T23:00:00.000+01:002015-07-24T23:08:59.884+01:00Froglet Gathering - 24/7/2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2CV-Afv9o8/VbKuReitlKI/AAAAAAAAEeo/HXTV4h2GkpM/s1600/froglet-09-22July2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G2CV-Afv9o8/VbKuReitlKI/AAAAAAAAEeo/HXTV4h2GkpM/s400/froglet-09-22July2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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I took these photos a couple of evenings ago but was treated to more of the same this evening when I went out to my pond.</div>
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Whereby a few weeks back my pond was full of tadpoles, now the little rocky area at one end of the pond is full of little froglets. I must have counted at least thirty or so of them and as I counted still they kept coming out of the water.</div>
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Soon they will all have left the pond and before too long Autumn will be here and the leaves will be falling. I will keep my fingers crossed that these little froglets one day make it back to my pond but in the meantime I'll be left of fond memories of watching them develop from frogspawn.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVGhiw0sNWE/VbKuEjMnVhI/AAAAAAAAEdo/CNRgaiCWHRM/s1600/froglet-02-22July2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVGhiw0sNWE/VbKuEjMnVhI/AAAAAAAAEdo/CNRgaiCWHRM/s400/froglet-02-22July2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">frogs amongst the rocks</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1LVJz5RS1nU/VbKuEqzt47I/AAAAAAAAEds/QCYJsuD0nbk/s1600/froglet-03-22July2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1LVJz5RS1nU/VbKuEqzt47I/AAAAAAAAEds/QCYJsuD0nbk/s400/froglet-03-22July2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">froglet</span></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IG9907FzJGo/VbKuIs5gPuI/AAAAAAAAEeI/1hDwOu66_-4/s1600/froglet-05-22July2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IG9907FzJGo/VbKuIs5gPuI/AAAAAAAAEeI/1hDwOu66_-4/s400/froglet-05-22July2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">froglet on the rock</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7lOVy9U7G0/VbKuP4N21bI/AAAAAAAAEeU/asYedgkNKv8/s1600/froglet-07-22July2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7lOVy9U7G0/VbKuP4N21bI/AAAAAAAAEeU/asYedgkNKv8/s400/froglet-07-22July2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">hopping onto the rocks</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-25d5dhjCayU/VbKuPftu2oI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/LtHIxWUBacU/s1600/froglet-06-22July2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-25d5dhjCayU/VbKuPftu2oI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/LtHIxWUBacU/s400/froglet-06-22July2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">a closer view</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kcynsG9kXy8/VbKuQLe1N_I/AAAAAAAAEeY/j8lacrF9_lc/s1600/froglet-08-22July2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kcynsG9kXy8/VbKuQLe1N_I/AAAAAAAAEeY/j8lacrF9_lc/s400/froglet-08-22July2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">seeking shelter</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jyPhb0F_dKo/VbKuFvy6xLI/AAAAAAAAEd4/-4tu16YL2ug/s1600/froglet-01-22July2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jyPhb0F_dKo/VbKuFvy6xLI/AAAAAAAAEd4/-4tu16YL2ug/s400/froglet-01-22July2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">frog leaving the pond</span></div>
Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-92205748377775371692015-07-20T12:30:00.000+01:002015-07-20T12:30:10.748+01:00Froglet Departure - 20/7/2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fdfkPlJZEe4/VazYFVxIeLI/AAAAAAAAEdI/iFkk4RbpDHE/s1600/froglets-01-19July2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fdfkPlJZEe4/VazYFVxIeLI/AAAAAAAAEdI/iFkk4RbpDHE/s400/froglets-01-19July2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
During the last couple of weeks, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
late each evening I've been going out</div>
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to my pond and spending a little time</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
watching the froglets leaving.</div>
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Last night I decided to take</div>
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some photos of their departure.</div>
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</div>
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I can't believe just how many</div>
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little froglets have made it to</div>
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this stage and are now taking</div>
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their first leap into the unknown.</div>
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<br /></div>
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There are still some tadpoles left,</div>
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but nearly all have grown limbs now.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Pcfx7Jrn1Y/VazYEOoYqMI/AAAAAAAAEc8/h6fjhbCR50Y/s1600/froglets-02-19July2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Pcfx7Jrn1Y/VazYEOoYqMI/AAAAAAAAEc8/h6fjhbCR50Y/s400/froglets-02-19July2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">four little froglets in this shot</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mbgz3XkMXAA/VazYGYxg97I/AAAAAAAAEdU/tTE70OBIuOI/s1600/froglets-04-19July2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mbgz3XkMXAA/VazYGYxg97I/AAAAAAAAEdU/tTE70OBIuOI/s400/froglets-04-19July2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">two froglets sheltering in</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">a damp nook and cranny</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OzMiVBdlZQc/VazYFDbuvvI/AAAAAAAAEdE/XkIy7YIVhTs/s1600/froglets-03-19July2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OzMiVBdlZQc/VazYFDbuvvI/AAAAAAAAEdE/XkIy7YIVhTs/s400/froglets-03-19July2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">time to move on</span></div>
Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-12092481963455007402015-07-04T18:30:00.000+01:002015-07-04T18:59:06.273+01:00Metamorphosis Underway - 04/7/2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n8zz8v2F3bc/VZgVFKpSZfI/AAAAAAAAEcE/SgDGqHEj8ds/s1600/tadpoles-00884-landscape.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n8zz8v2F3bc/VZgVFKpSZfI/AAAAAAAAEcE/SgDGqHEj8ds/s400/tadpoles-00884-landscape.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
My two daughters went to Chester Zoo with their Grandad today so my Wife and I enjoyed a pub lunch, a walk around a Garden Centre and then some quiet time relaxing in our back garden.<br />
<br />
The tadpoles were making the most of the glorious afternoon sunshine, grazing on the grass cuttings which had blown into the pond this morning when I cut the lawn. Some of them are starting to resemble froglets now, whilst others have only just grown their back legs. For some there is no metamorphosis at all just yet.</div>
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Here are few photos</div>
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to show their development:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AHcoZPp-8YU/VZgVCtbFdRI/AAAAAAAAEb8/TDSIUYZgl5Q/s1600/tadpoles-00864.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AHcoZPp-8YU/VZgVCtbFdRI/AAAAAAAAEb8/TDSIUYZgl5Q/s400/tadpoles-00864.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6ZhetL8DUk/VZgVDToqjPI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/EQygFeqHKY8/s1600/tadpoles-00867.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6ZhetL8DUk/VZgVDToqjPI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/EQygFeqHKY8/s400/tadpoles-00867.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mAQvmYAWN6s/VZgVDb0ezQI/AAAAAAAAEcA/UPOArUo-a5g/s1600/tadpoles-00866.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mAQvmYAWN6s/VZgVDb0ezQI/AAAAAAAAEcA/UPOArUo-a5g/s400/tadpoles-00866.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkZ3MpuphE4/VZgVJKXNXII/AAAAAAAAEcc/YKRTyCcFM00/s1600/tadpoles-00887.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VkZ3MpuphE4/VZgVJKXNXII/AAAAAAAAEcc/YKRTyCcFM00/s400/tadpoles-00887.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nn_8GmbSfAA/VZgVRbvhuDI/AAAAAAAAEcw/mDHurWRKiKY/s1600/tadpoles-00891.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nn_8GmbSfAA/VZgVRbvhuDI/AAAAAAAAEcw/mDHurWRKiKY/s400/tadpoles-00891.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-il0QSvF3kvQ/VZgVGo8vQKI/AAAAAAAAEck/pyC-R7BlUFs/s1600/tadpoles-00884.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-il0QSvF3kvQ/VZgVGo8vQKI/AAAAAAAAEck/pyC-R7BlUFs/s400/tadpoles-00884.png" width="300" /></a></div>
Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-6495798404640009622015-07-02T23:30:00.000+01:002015-07-03T10:07:49.441+01:00Evening in the Garden - 02/7/2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ucmj40xKF_g/VZWw6jafxcI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/KtbA0lqKRwk/s1600/Pond-00818.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ucmj40xKF_g/VZWw6jafxcI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/KtbA0lqKRwk/s400/Pond-00818.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I spent all my time relaxing in the garden this evening. It had rained in the afternoon but by the time I'd returned home from work the sun had come out and everything had started to dry out.</div>
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After tea I sat and watched the tadpoles for twenty minutes. Most seem to have developed back legs now and will soon begin turning into little froglets. I've not bothered taking photos of them just yet as they spend most of the time moving around between the elodea crispa or shooting to the surface for air before dashing back down to the bottom of the pond. I'm still quite surprised just how many tadpoles there are too, I thought that most of them would have been eaten by the newts by now.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Speaking of newts, I still see one of them when I go out late in the evening with my torch. I'm not sure where the other went but I spend ages watching them stalking in the pond. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Both the frogs are still around and the smaller one seems to still favour pond project #1, the smaller of the two ponds and is there most evenings.</div>
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<br />
After checking up on the tadpoles, I just sat in a chair and watched the birds feed in the Acer behind the pond.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vTrL0Tfu3Gk/VZWw94BE-pI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/9RwkxcD6YWc/s1600/Pond-00822.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vTrL0Tfu3Gk/VZWw94BE-pI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/9RwkxcD6YWc/s400/Pond-00822.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The pond plants are doing good right now and the elodea crispa has started taking over the pond again providing good cover for the tadpoles whilst they are developing into froglets.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSlSZuSl460/VZWxXuZf5nI/AAAAAAAAEbE/xVmjSWCX7-8/s1600/Pond-00828.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSlSZuSl460/VZWxXuZf5nI/AAAAAAAAEbE/xVmjSWCX7-8/s400/Pond-00828.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The plants my Wife put around the pond have flourished unlike the heather that we originally planted there when I first installed the pond. The black dragon plants have started to multiply so we may need to dig a few of those additional ones up and move them elsewhere.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ILLDvWkfcTs/VZWw8jMXLII/AAAAAAAAEaI/S4-RQImefpM/s1600/Pond-00819.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ILLDvWkfcTs/VZWw8jMXLII/AAAAAAAAEaI/S4-RQImefpM/s400/Pond-00819.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOazNMPWd9M/VZWw7kX9aII/AAAAAAAAEaA/a8maymx0R9g/s1600/Pond-00809.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOazNMPWd9M/VZWw7kX9aII/AAAAAAAAEaA/a8maymx0R9g/s400/Pond-00809.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pond Project #2</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bBwBB4FeSRs/VZWxM4l9NUI/AAAAAAAAEao/8ctQNEKpgTg/s1600/Pond-00813.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bBwBB4FeSRs/VZWxM4l9NUI/AAAAAAAAEao/8ctQNEKpgTg/s400/Pond-00813.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Bug Hotel</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My latest addition</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to the garden was a water</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
station for birds and insects.<br />
<br />
It was one of my activities<br />
for the 30 Days Wild Challenge<br />
back at the beginning of June. <br />
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It looked like this at first:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GNJPhoCKrD0/VXMplBe0ewI/AAAAAAAACjE/uXRcQNasxJ8/s1600/WaterStationforBirds.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GNJPhoCKrD0/VXMplBe0ewI/AAAAAAAACjE/uXRcQNasxJ8/s400/WaterStationforBirds.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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However, I disliked the look of it so much</div>
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that yesterday I replaced it with a large</div>
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ceramic cat bowl, filled the bottom with</div>
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gravel and added some pebbles.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SLjw7vpF0x4/VZWxLE_JoBI/AAAAAAAAEaY/1bVJHKvPd88/s1600/Pond-00815.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SLjw7vpF0x4/VZWxLE_JoBI/AAAAAAAAEaY/1bVJHKvPd88/s400/Pond-00815.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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I think it looks much better now :-)</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pond Project #1</span></div>
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<br />
A selection of<br />
flowers from the garden:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3yP6MV2Fv-Q/VZWxLpUj6LI/AAAAAAAAEag/wFTUcslpfPk/s1600/Pond-00825.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3yP6MV2Fv-Q/VZWxLpUj6LI/AAAAAAAAEag/wFTUcslpfPk/s400/Pond-00825.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jGxFWI0SpNc/VZWxYUT1vyI/AAAAAAAAEbI/Fi9DuvPE-CY/s1600/Pond-00836.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jGxFWI0SpNc/VZWxYUT1vyI/AAAAAAAAEbI/Fi9DuvPE-CY/s400/Pond-00836.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b9UHK4cuO2o/VZWxZJO1i-I/AAAAAAAAEbQ/Wjghdea0els/s1600/Pond-00838.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b9UHK4cuO2o/VZWxZJO1i-I/AAAAAAAAEbQ/Wjghdea0els/s400/Pond-00838.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C7zF4zCxa1o/VZWxaHYFiWI/AAAAAAAAEbY/WapQwjmPgfo/s1600/Pond-00839.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C7zF4zCxa1o/VZWxaHYFiWI/AAAAAAAAEbY/WapQwjmPgfo/s400/Pond-00839.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">View from my chair this evening</span></div>
Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-7266932846979539932015-07-02T22:00:00.000+01:002015-07-02T23:42:20.323+01:00A Den of a Kind - 02/7/2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqebd4o30yw/VZWtf7BgTkI/AAAAAAAAEZk/HBdWfLEvESI/s1600/Pond-00466.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqebd4o30yw/VZWtf7BgTkI/AAAAAAAAEZk/HBdWfLEvESI/s400/Pond-00466.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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I had a clean up behind the shed at the weekend and decided to make a kind of den for the hedgehogs or any other little mammals that may need shelter come Autumn and Winter. I'm hoping that that something will move in over time. It only took five minutes to put together but it's tucked away behind the shed and should stay for years to come.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uoQ8JHl0XY4/VZWtgFAtooI/AAAAAAAAEZg/L1J-O37Yg_M/s1600/Pond-00468.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uoQ8JHl0XY4/VZWtgFAtooI/AAAAAAAAEZg/L1J-O37Yg_M/s400/Pond-00468.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">old bricks and some cut grass</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J07Wf2VAITY/VZWteaLKP6I/AAAAAAAAEZU/gqSdHj5HxhE/s1600/Pond-00469.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J07Wf2VAITY/VZWteaLKP6I/AAAAAAAAEZU/gqSdHj5HxhE/s400/Pond-00469.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">roof made with some</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">thick off cuts of timber</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-624QwVSnt-s/VZWtmQey-kI/AAAAAAAAEZo/cFjAIANwjXA/s1600/Pond-00474.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-624QwVSnt-s/VZWtmQey-kI/AAAAAAAAEZo/cFjAIANwjXA/s400/Pond-00474.png" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">stacked up with more offcuts</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">of wood to hopefully attract insects</span></div>
Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-46574839565432607622015-06-20T13:04:00.000+01:002015-06-20T13:04:07.156+01:00Wet Morning - 20/6/2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J2vqxC_Q1C8/VYVVBitTeBI/AAAAAAAADfw/OU0z9qGyCbQ/s1600/pond-01-20June2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J2vqxC_Q1C8/VYVVBitTeBI/AAAAAAAADfw/OU0z9qGyCbQ/s400/pond-01-20June2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wildlife Pond Project #2</span></div>
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It's been raining here all morning and so the garden is looking wet and bright green. I popped out to check on the tadpoles and they seem to still be growing and I'm sure they'll have legs before too long.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3IdGsZr5QLc/VYVVAXQuNRI/AAAAAAAADfo/baGcBeT3P4I/s1600/pond-02-20June2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3IdGsZr5QLc/VYVVAXQuNRI/AAAAAAAADfo/baGcBeT3P4I/s400/pond-02-20June2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Wildlife Pond Project #1</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TQ8EeQEGyec/VYVVCsWHGwI/AAAAAAAADf4/4EIT1hub1lU/s1600/pond-03-20June2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TQ8EeQEGyec/VYVVCsWHGwI/AAAAAAAADf4/4EIT1hub1lU/s400/pond-03-20June2015.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">View from kitchen window</span></div>
Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-39695129704857475292015-06-18T23:20:00.000+01:002015-06-18T23:27:42.715+01:00Naughty Cat - 18/6/2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GSz7OYIgRPc/VYNAhSMCr9I/AAAAAAAADcI/IkeB4JQbmt0/s1600/meadow-9164.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GSz7OYIgRPc/VYNAhSMCr9I/AAAAAAAADcI/IkeB4JQbmt0/s400/meadow-9164.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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A couple of days ago I'd not long got home from work when we noticed our cat outside the patio door with a present for us. My girls told me he had a Bat but upon closer inspection he had helped himself to a chick from the trees in the garden behind our house.</div>
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I love cats but I'm always saddened when he brings things home, even worse when they're still alive. This chick was still very much alive and I didn't know what to do. I had a quick look on the RSPB website to see what advice they offered but they recommended placing it back in the nest if possible. There was no way I could return it to the nest and I felt totally helpless. </div>
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All I could do was put it somewhere quiet at the back of the garden and leave it in the hands of mother nature. My youngest daughter didn't want to let it go at first and had wrapped it up in kitchen roll to keep it warm. I agreed to let her hold it for a while before we finally but it down near the back wall and said our goodbyes.</div>
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Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-11261976108282287382015-06-12T10:00:00.000+01:002015-06-12T16:07:18.424+01:00Tadpole Update - 12/6/2015<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've not blogged about the tadpoles for over a month now so I thought I'd post a little update. </div>
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They appear to be faring well and seem quite happy swimming about in the pond. Some have grown bigger than others but still no sign of any legs just yet. I think I read somewhere that they usually start developing into froglets from about 11-12 weeks so I hope I see some development soon.</div>
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I can remember being slightly concerned when they first developed into tadpoles that the two newts would decimate them but upon checking yesterday evening I'm happy to say that there is still a very good number of tadpoles in the pond.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-imBJTe2-5bs/VXo92TmR12I/AAAAAAAACzY/8ZIuGgXcyOU/s1600/frog-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-imBJTe2-5bs/VXo92TmR12I/AAAAAAAACzY/8ZIuGgXcyOU/s400/frog-01.png" width="300" /></a></div>
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As usual when checking the pond late yesterday evening, the resident frog was there to greet me yet again. The other resident frog seemed more content in the the smaller pond tucked away behind the Yellow Flag Iris.</div>
Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145204454018220074.post-76345359233639712622015-06-06T19:04:00.003+01:002015-06-06T19:04:47.592+01:00Pond Project #1 - 06/6/2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wVi8tb1n_fk/VXM1i09e2mI/AAAAAAAACjc/EUBM8npFpZU/s1600/pond-project-1-6June2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wVi8tb1n_fk/VXM1i09e2mI/AAAAAAAACjc/EUBM8npFpZU/s400/pond-project-1-6June2015.png" width="300" /></a></div>
Ian Doylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01407785573213070860noreply@blogger.com7