After walking the Littlest Gardener to school I went outside to see birds and a squirrel enjoying the pond and the feeders nearby.
Doesn't this look like a nice view to see? Such nice lighting today!
As I got closer to the pond I noticed the water looked very cloudy, no plants were knocked over so I knew it wasn't from the raccoons. When I looked closer I noticed I couldn't see any fish! I was so sad, especially when I found some colorful scales on the edge of the pond. It had to have been a heron. I've seen one once a year ago in the pond, but no fish were missing. A couple of weeks ago the Littlest Gardener told me there was a flamingo on our deck. As I rushed to see what she was talking about I saw a huge heron fly away.
During the icy weather I saw heron fishing along a slough close to our house and thought it seemed strange. There are nesting grounds very close to here and that's usually where we see them flying to. In order to give the remaining fish some added safety I found a crate and put a brick on top of it and put them in the pond. I just feel awful about this. These fish were like pets, many we had for 3 or more years. We lost the 2 Koi and I can't even think about the others that were hand picked by my girls. They will be brokenhearted when I tell them. I know this is nature and how things are, but we've never had a loss of fish like this before.
As if sensing my sadness the little hummingbird that's been faithfully visiting stopped to rest right next to me and just sat there. It really made me feel better.
Here she is at the feeder before she left. I've been able to leave the feeder out at night now that it's not freezing. One morning as I reached out the window to hang it back up I noticed the hummingbird sitting on the trellis about 3 feet from me, just waiting for her food.Sweet Pea also asked me to invite people to see her blog. She's actually had it for quite awhile, but doesn't post very regularly. She took some hummingbird pictures recently and yesterday posted the pictures. I'm amazed at how easily she goes about writing her post and loading pictures, etc. Her blog is called Gardening with Sweet Pea.
I'm so sorry about your fish. That must have been a shock. I am glad your little hummingbird friend let you take more photos of her. You two are getting to be good friends. I peeked at your daughter's blog. She is quickly following in your footsteps..
ReplyDeleteOh Catherine I am so sorry about your fish.The crane probably saw some easy fishing in your pond.
ReplyDeleteMore beautiful pictures of the hummingbird.I will have to check out Sweet Pea's blog.
So sorry to hear about the loss of your fish. At a previous house I had a pond with gold fish, and there was a garter snake that liked to try to grab them. Mostly he was unsuccessful, but early one morning I looked out the window and saw him with a fish still alive in his mouth. I ran out in my nightgown and wrestled the fish away from him and put it back in the pond (I'm not afraid of snakes). My sister always laughs at that as she imagines it!
ReplyDeleteHope the heron does not come back, but now that he knows where to get a meal/snack, he probably will.
Hi Catherine
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about your fish.
On a brighter note, you're right about the light. Those first two photos are some of the best I've seen you publish. Beautiful.
Oh, took a look at SweetPea's blog, and it is, well, sweet!
ReplyDeleteCatherine I'm sooooo sorry to hear about your fish. I can see how easy it would be to become attached to the Koi if they are anything like my sisters, they come right up and suck on her fingers. You must be making that little hummingbird feel right at home it's coming so close! The pond does look nice and peaceful now after being frozen.
ReplyDeleteSweet Pea's blog is great - she's doing so good with the camera too.
Oh Catherine! I am just heartbroken for you. I know they are supposed to just be fish but somehow you do get attached to the little slippery things. We only got fish this summer and I quickly found that I really did care about them. I felt silly but they do have personality and charm. Hard to take that for granted. Again, I am sorry.
ReplyDeleteYou remind me not to become lax just because it is winter. We had a heron on the pond twice this summer but he didn't get anyone. Right now I still have about two-three inches of ice on the pond. No one is getting through that. As soon as it melts I need to put some coverage in there for the fish since all the plants are gone. I haven't even seen the fish since the freeze. I guess they're just on the bottom right?
Oh, and I am heading to Sweet Pea's right now. What a great name for a blog by the way. :-)
Hi Catherine, first off I have to say what a sweet blog your daughter has. It was so heart warming to read her story about the hummingbird too. It made me kind of tear up. I know how proud you must be.
ReplyDeleteThat is sad about the fish. Your pond looks so nice and the light was so clear and crisp. The hummer must have cheered you up, how wonderful to have one hang around in winter. The yin of the heron and the yang of the hummer.
Thank goodness you were there to catch the water heater snafu. Ah, such is life.
Frances
Catherine, How very sad about the fish and I'm so sorry for you & your girls' loss. I tend to get attached to birds, chipmunks etc. and every loss is heart-breaking.
ReplyDeleteThat's sweet about the hummer waiting patiently nearby for you to put the feeder out. The 80+ year old man that was a friend of daddy's (who I shared the hummigbird book with) said that if he is late putting out the feeders, the hummer comes to the kitchen window and hovers to get his attention!
Wow - how fortunate to get the water heater replaced quickly. Your week is similar to mine. The auto drfrost went out on our frig and it was pouring water into the floor. Glad to have it repaired now. Again, I'm sorry for the loss of the fish. Take care.
Poor fishes.
ReplyDeleteYr pond is really nice tho.
So sad about your fish! As another commenter above noted, they really are sociable and interesting creatures. I know how attached you all were after all that time.
ReplyDeleteTwo not so good days first the leak and then the loss of fish how upsetting for you.
ReplyDeleteThe pond looks good in that light and the humming bird is lovely what a pity we don't have them here in the UK.
What a lovely blog Sweet Pea has done how proud you must be of her.
Catherine, your pond is glorious and that little hummingbird touches my heart. Thanks by the way for commenting on the botanical gardens post on my blog. When you visit San Francisco you'll find the DeYoung Museum, The Calif. Academy of Sciences, The Japanese Tea Garden and the Rose garden. The conservatory of flowers is also nearby. The Botanical gardens by the way is free. If you need any info or a tour guide, contact me. joanneolivieri@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your fish.... :(
ReplyDeleteMy sis has a lifelike metal statue of a heron next to her pond (from above it looks real to a flying heron). I guess they are territorial & if they see another one at a feeding spot they will avoid.....not sure if it works.
Hi Catherine - so sorry about the fish. The humingbird is very sweet. He must sense your kindness. Hugs, Gloria
ReplyDeleteOh, I lost my two months ago and I haven't been able to bring myself to get anymore. I can't imagine how hard it would be with kids. But, as you said, nature is nature and not much we can do, I suppose. I shall visit your little blogger.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
I'm so sorry about the loss of your Koi. I can only keep groups of small fish in my tank, if I try to add anyone 'special' it is too sad if they don't make it. Herons are beautiful though, and you are lucky to have them around (even if it doesn't seem like it at the moment). Hugs to the Littlest Gardener.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about the fish. I know exactly how you feel. I lost my one Koi that I had for nearly 14 years, last year.
ReplyDeleteMy sympathies on your loss.
I'm so sorry about your fish. It can be a challenge sometimes. On the one hand we strive to maintain thriving wildlife habitats, but the challenge sometimes is just that...the wildlife! We had a pond at our last house that my husband and I built. It wasn't long before a little green heron started stalking our fish daily, perched at the edge of the pond. Seemed rather silly at first, as our fish at the time were almost as large as he was! Didn't stop him from sitting there every morning, staring into the water, wishing for a fish supper though. Thankfully he never actually managed to catch one...if he had, he'd have probably choked! He was awfully persistent though! I do hope your remaining fish stay safe.
ReplyDeletesorry about your hot water heater, sorry about your fish...but I gotta go check out Sweet Pea!
ReplyDeleteI have the greatest sympathy with you at the moment. I have had exactly the same thing happen to me in Southern England this week. Herons took 11 of my fish. I have been so upset, only 8 left. I had originally only two large fish and all the rest were their babies.The parents have both since died(one only the other week of pinecone disease) If you read my latest blog entry you will see that the herons keep coming back for more, so please be aware and protect the fish well!Best wishes and have a lovely christmas to you and your family, elizabeth from countryrosecorner kent in england
ReplyDeleteCatherine,
ReplyDeleteSorry you lost your fish, I used to have some too. Glad you caught the water heater before it caused other damage. Still enjoying you hummer.
We might get snow tomorrow!
Thank you everyone for your kind words. I knew lots of people would be able to relate or at least understand why it was sad for us. I found a few more of the babies that must have hidden somewhere so although most of the fish are gone, at least some are still there. Hopefully the crate will give them another hiding spot since I'm sure the heron will be back.
ReplyDeleteSweet Pea was very excited to have had so many visitors today. You made her day :)
Sorry to hear about the fish. Like you said, it's just nature but it's hard to lose something you loved.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to go over and see Sweet Peas blog.
Have a good evening!
Too bad about the fish! Glad you put another crate in, maybe the rest will survive.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos!
I'm sorry to read about your pond- the poor fish! I can't imagine a heron in my yard! I enjoyed the photos of your hummingbird. I am missing them and look forward to when they return to my garden.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my blog today and welcoming me back to the land of blogging! :)
Sorry to hear about your pets. I find watching fish in a pond to be so relaxing and it really makes the garden come alive. My neighbor winters his fish in a greenhouse. I guess that's one way to keep them safe from herons but it's hard to enjoy them there. Love the hummingbird shots, you are lucky to have such a faithful little guy show up even when the feeder is empty!
ReplyDeleteChristine in Alaska
So sorry you lost your fish. We have fish in an aquarium, and I know how one can become attached to them. Fish even have their own personalities. The little hummingbird is delightful. I'm glad he was there to comfort you.
ReplyDeleteOh what a bummer, you must feel about herons like we do about bald eagles. We have ponds but only catfish in them and more than the couple of herons can eat. But boy I know they can eat, so they must be devistating on small yard ponds. So sorry.
ReplyDeleteYour pond is beautiful Catherine.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about the loss of your fish. I can imagine how upsetting it must be.
How sweet of the little hummingbird to comfort you, and even pose for photos! They are not easy to capture in a picture!
How cool that your Sweet Pea has a blog of her own. After I check out your bloom day post I'll be off to visit her blog.
Catherine, I am so sorry about your fish. We lost 10 big koi this past summer, that had been hatched in this pond, but not to herons. I hate those herons. That is another story.
ReplyDeleteThis is one solution. Go to the hardware store, or Lowes, whatever you have there, and purchase some 3" PVC pipe, schedule 40. You can get it in white or grey (electrical) but the color doesn't really matter. It usually is sold in 10' pieces or joints. Cut it into pieces about 1 foot long, and put as many pieces as you need in the bottom of your pond. The pipe is a good place for the fish to go hide from the herons, and they will soon be covered with algae, so you won't see them. You can cover them with liner material, if you just can't stand to see the white pipe in the water, just don't use any glue. Secure the liner with some of those electrical thingies like police use for handcuffs.
This is a very good long term solution, as the pvc will last for about 40,000 years. I hope it helps.
I just looked at Sweet Pea's blog, and I am impressed! She has a sweet blog! Following in Mama's footsteps!
ReplyDeleteThat's so sad. I'm sorry you lost your fish. Your pond is beautiful, I'd hate to see it covered in netting. Do you know what you're going to do yet?
ReplyDeleteJanie - I love your idea! That sounds like a great solution! I will do exactly that and try to get to the hardware store this weekend. Sorry to hear about your Koi, let's hope no more fish are gone for any of us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Sweet Pea too!
Angela - I'm going to try Janie's idea of using the PVC pipe. Do you have fish in your pond?
sorry about the fish- it is really the saddest thing when you get attched to an animal and love and feed them and nature just takes over. All ours got eaten by raccoons and I was so upset :( sorry.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your fish. We had that same thing happen, with our pond at the old house.
ReplyDeleteWe actually caught the heron standing in the pond. We had goldfish...they were eight years old, and as big as koi.
I'm not sure how you stop that, unless you put netting over the pond.
Your pond is so pretty...and, your little hummer friend is too.
So sorry to hear about your fish. But, I am happy to have found a fellow gardener to follow. I love to garden just as well. Hope you can stop by my patch to visit. Oh, I forgot, it's put to bed for the winter here, but have lots of fun other things to share. Can't wait to see your backyard in the spring.....amazing I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteKate - The Garden Bell
www.thegardenbell.blogspot.com
Dear Catherine, I wish you and your family a very happy christmas, and may next year brings much happiness and blessings to you all, together with joy, tons of love, and prosperity.
ReplyDeleteI love, love when you post your pond!!!
Muchos cariños
Maria Cecilia
What a great idea about the PVC pipe. I have worried this would happen in my little pond too Catherine. My neighbors had it happen. It's always heartbreaking when we lose anything we've gotten attached to ~ fish included. I'm so sorry. I hope you can keep the rest of your fish safe. I will definitely check out your daughters blog and I'm so glad your hummingbird could cheer you up a bit.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm sorry to hear about the heron. It's tough to balance nature and gardening sometimes. I've heard of herons becoming a problem for water gardens around here. I wonder if a motion sensor that is connected to a radio or predator bird sounds would deter the heron from returning.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about your fish. The heron needs to eat, but I understand that they were your pets. So sad after reading this.
ReplyDeleteCatherine,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your fish. I guess if it were me, and I wanted to replace the fish, I would wait awhile to try and fool that heron. He'll probably be checking back for awhile to see if he can get some more. But after awhile, he'll eventually move on. Heartbreaking, though, as I get really attached to animals as well.
Hope that hummingbird sticks around for awhile! :)
We've lost koi to various things, so I know how you feel. I've never named any since then.
ReplyDeleteLove you hummingbirds pictures.
Your pond looks lovely this time of year.
Oh Catherine - you must have felt like weeping ((((()))) I know that they have given you so much much pleasure. I am glad that the humming bird gave you some comfort. Will be over to visit Sweet Peas's blog soon.
ReplyDeleteCatherine you have such a lovely little pond, I'm so sorry that something chose to make a meal out of your fish.
ReplyDeleteSweetpea has a sweet little blog and she's a good little writer good for her.
Catherine, I am so sorry to learn about your fish. It's just a disaster.I'm so sorry.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, I don't have a pond, but my sister does - they too had a heron problem, but they used a wide "grid" of metal fencing over the top of their pond and it's worked for them. Let me know and I'll get you more info if you like. Take care!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy seeing the pictures of your pond and its reflections. It looks so cooling. I'm sory to hear about your fish. Just recently, I lost 9 kois. A neighbour's cat came very close by which somehow frightened them. One jumped right into a suction area, got stuck and the air pump stopped. By the time we discovered, all my 9 kois were already dead, probably electrocuted. It was heartbreaking taking out their 'dead bodies' one by one. Now I have to use netting which doesn't look nice. I think Janie's idea is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed Christmas!
So sorry to see that happening. It will calm us down a little bit, if we believe in natural food chain. But I think the humming bird really feel sad... having lost a regular friend. ~bangchik
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about so many other people losing their fish as well. It sounds like their are lots of good ideas to help keep them protected.
ReplyDeleteMary Anne - The metal fence sounds like a good idea too!
Catherine, Your pond is absolutely gorgeous - with all the plantings, etc. You've done a great, great job! What a sad story about your fish. It's crazy that they've all disappeared.
ReplyDeleteChristmas is coming... what's on your list? ;-) Have a wonderful celebration. (Sweet Pea's blog is delightful)
Oh, that is awful! I would think that they were too shy to be fishing in your back yard! Our herons here are very shy and don't even like it when you look at them from a distance. I would think it more likely that a duck would get them here than a heron.
ReplyDeleteI hope your daughters understand. Maybe you can get them involved in planning a deterrent or some sort of protection for the fish.
(weird. my word verification is "mortali" -- IT KNOWS!)
I've heard many complaints of herons..they do alot of damage for ponders...your poor water pets! I'm so sorry, Catherine.
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine, so sorry about your fish loss! That's so sad. Did I tell you I saw a heron take down one of the giant koi in the Japanese garden at the UW Arboretum once? It was highly traumatic. I know they gotta eat too, but yeesh. Is there a way to cover the pond surface with deck webbing or chicken wire to protect the swimmers? I know it would not look very attractive. Bummer! Cute that the hummingbird is so friendly. She knows who's getting her through the winter!
ReplyDeleteThis broke my heart Catherine. I'm so sorry. The hummingbird must have known.
ReplyDeleteHi Catherine~~ I missed your pond post last week so I'm playing catch up. The summer pond photo on the bottom of your blog is such an enormous contrast to winter's spartan footprint. I know exactly how you feel about losing your fish. It was raccoons that got mine several years ago. I was devastated. They [fish] would come to the surface and communicate the best way they knew. It was that trusting instinct that hastened their demise so I felt somewhat responsible, as well as heartbroken. I'm glad your hummingbird/angel was able to offer a little solace.
ReplyDelete