Survivor--Lilypad

The pond motto:  Outswim...outlive...outhide.

We restocked Lilypad Pond with three goldfish for way back on Mother's Day.  Beauty combined with a taste for mosquito larvae--what could be a better present?

I chose them with some care.  I figured the white and red pinto would look really flashy as he swam around.  I loved the black picotee edges against the gold.

And the red one with the spot was lively and healthy. We released them and (as small but wise comets will) they disappeared, hopefully to grow and prosper.

 

I'm glad I took pix, but naming them might have been a mistake.

Because a month later came the regrettable episode of the garter snake with a taste for goldfish and peeper frogs who took up residence in our pond.   Said snake was re-homed as soon as I convinced my sweetie that life would be much quieter without my shrieks of snake-horror.

When we were satisfied that the garter snake had moved on permanently, we snuck another five feeder comets (both unphotographed and unnamed) into the pond where they promptly disappeared amidst the rocks. I knew they'd show up eventually, predators and the good Lord willing...

 

Success!  Warm summery water, familiarity with the pond and a lack of snakes finally brought the three survivors out from the midst of the lilies into the shallows where they browse on algae and other fishy delights.  To my delight, that little guy in front is actually one of my Mother's Day comets who somehow outwitted the garter snake. To say he's skittish is an understatement, poor traumatized fish. Maybe they're bolder because they're not so little anymore. They've never received one flake of fishfood, but our pond is apparently rich in algae and larvae and other fishly favorites. Mr. Skittish has easily quadrupled in size since May and the others are three times bigger than they were.

The sounds of the creek and waterfall are tranquil, the lilies enrich each day, but the flash of a golden fin just might be my favorite part of Lilypad Pond.



Joining the others at My Romantic Home's Show and Tell Friday.