Yogi♪♪♪ thought it a fish
- Good mystery...turtle?
Oscar (right) hasn't a clue.
and -in truth - I am not sure, either! But it was either a minnow or a tadpole. Both were up and about in the 16 C. temperatures of Sunday.
The tadpoles were dancing, heading towards the light. The dark, short days, and the blackness of the pond, make it difficult to photograph anything. I apologize to my more experienced lurker-photographers! I did many things: fixing the focal length, changing settings. It is just a hard shot to make!
I am learning to take my time. Since recovering from depression (at the death of both Mom and Dad, and months of caregiving, quitting work, etc.- for more...read my book: Living and Dying With Dignity!) I am learning to work with people again, to make decisions, to take my time, and to savour the sights, sounds and smells of Muskoka. My photography is my meditation.
I sat, perched on this rock (neighbour's home on the right, overlooking the lake) and watched the pond's fauna. Neighobur is trying to fill the marsh behind me with leaves, and I hope she will lose the battle. Her property line cuts through the pond, to my despair.
Back to the mystery.
But the tough tadpoles still cruise around. They pop up for air in the stagnant pond, breaching the pond's surface.
The minnows dance towards the light.
Still, they remain in the dark, making them difficult to photograph.
They are so cute.Basically, it was either a tadpole or minnow. I am not sure.
The leaves are falling, and floating then sinking into the pond. The tadpoles swim to the shallows, where the Sunday sun warmed them. Today (Monday afternoon), with a brisk wind and clouds, but warm air temperature of 16 C., the pond temperature is about 8˚ C., according to my aquarium thermometer. The lake is 9 ˚ C.
Soon it will settle into its winter temperature of 4˚ C.; that is what my reading tells me.
And well you might wonder, where do the fish come from?
The pond is isolated from the lake, but in heavy spring rains has been known to flood, crossing over the rock.
Minnows, anxious for the shallow shore, and the heat it affords, cross the divide. They have existed in this pond for many years, reproducing in good years and bad, I know not how!
We call the rock "The Whale's Back", where hubby walks his cat. It divides the pond from the lake. I am standing on the dock, which sticks out into the lake, to take their photo. This is where our wedding photos were taken, lo these 7 years ago!That is my world.
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Thank you for visiting My Muskoka!
/The Muse of Muskoka (to quote my cyberfriend Cloudia ), but more a-musing that muse-ful!
Your MyWorld Team:
Klaus Sandy Wren Fishing Guy Louise Sylvia
16 comments:
Marvelous, thoughtful and moving post, Jenn! And as always, your photos are delightful! Thanks for sharing it all!
Enjoy, it's the only life we have!
Sylvia
What a beautiful pond! You are so lucky to have this on your property! :)
What a beautiful world you live in. Great pictures.
Lovely images Jenn, I like the duck on the water-well captured. Thanks for sharing:)
What beautiful land you have - and the patience of a saint, I think!
Janice.
Great post. The one photo looks like a smile in the sky. May the world smile on you.
Moving post and a wonderful place you live!
Our lake is still warmer, about 15, but dropping quickly. It's so deep it won't freeze, not even along the edges that often drop to 100' or more right at the shoreline. I am alternating caring for my elderly mother and living on my lake. It is a complicated task being an only child. I am so fortunate that my husband is such an understanding guy and my Mom is so willing to join us in Canada about six months each year. - Margy
Why would your neighbor want to fill in the pond? It looks so inviting, be you tadpole, minnow, turtle or me. Love the still fallish looking area.
A beautiful post full of heartfelt reflection and wonder. Thank you.
Very nice post. Interesting about the pond and the lake relationship. I liked the photo of Hubby walking the cat.
Jenn: what a neat look at the pond. I would have said that there would be no tadpoles at this time of year but alas your photos prove me wrong. I thought they would be frogs by now.
A waterhole of any kind is suc a wonderfulmicrocosm of life to have in the vicinity. I love how you use it to best advantage. Concenntratinf on photography , painting or writing is a balm to the soul.
Lovely post and it looks like a wonderful place. How cool that your wedding photos were taken at this wodnerful spot.
It's true, Gaelyn, but she wants to fill it in for more veggie garden space. Mind you, the 'coons eat a lot, too!
And, Eileen, the ceremony was here, too! Right in front of the house. Such lovely memories!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, all my visitors!
What your neighbour is doing without a permit seems to be illegal-Ontario regulation 167/06 Developement,Interference with a Wetland,and Alteration to a Shoreline a permit is required for any placing of fill and alteration of ,any work affecting any channel(including pond connected to a wetland)Maybe look it up and check if you can stop her.
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