Thursday, May 28, 2020

Maybe we need a pond



Between Poppy's PT, the red-winged blackbird who is hanging around, and my black bathing beauty of a Morgan mare, I think it would be well-utilized. Unfortunately, mosquitoes would probably love it, too, and I'm not into bugs. Thankfully bugs aren't a big problem around here, like they are in Minnesota (no black flies, few ticks, normal-not-state-bird-worthy-mosquitoes; don't hate me, Mama Pea!). Still, I'm always tickled to see the swallows return every spring and bats flying around at night to eat what bugs we have.

I'm hoping these barn swallows successfully raise a brood this year:

Violet-green swallows have claimed our cream-colored nest box (I have no idea what that white rectangle is!):

That's it for today from . . .

8 comments:

Leigh said...

The pix of Stella made me giggle. A pond would be a great idea! Think Rick would go for it?

Michelle said...

No, and I wouldn't want to sacrifice any of our limited property (or finances!) to put one in, either!

Mama Pea said...

For some reason, we've never had a really bad bug problem on our property here, pond and all. Maybe it's because we get so much wind. But, yes, the tick problem out in the woods is something to pay attention to. Anyway, those evil, totally bothersome biting insects (black flies, mosquitoes, etc.) have been late in coming out this year. (Oh gosh, did I actually say that out loud?)

Not that I know diddly-sqwat about horses, but if they had access to a pond in hot weather, would they go play in it?

Retired Knitter said...

Guess she is too big for a kids pool!! haha! Poppy might like it. My sons' dogs love it. Maybe Stella might like a sprinkler!

Jeanne said...

The pictures of Stella playing in the water are really cute! I'm sure she'd enjoy a pond, but I'm also sure you don't really want one, for many reasons - one being that she might decide to roll in it, which would probably make more work for you, having to clean her up!

When we lived in northern Manitoba, many years ago, there were nasty little black flies with a very mean bite. The residents called them sand flies, but I suspect they were the same thing you are talking about. When my older daughter waa bitten, she would bleed and it would heal up more quickly than when my younger daughter's did. She didn't bleed, but had swelling that took days to go away. Does that sound anything like what you have there, Mama Pea??

Michelle said...

Maybe all your poultry helps with the bugs, Mama Pea? As for horses and water, they have preferences just like other creatures. Stella is the first one I've had that plays in the water tank; Lance wants to lay down in big puddles encountered on trail rides and roll in them; Oliver has no interest in either.

With our small-output well, Elaine, Stella will just have to play in the water tank (and then drink the dirty water!).

Sounds like nasty bugs, Jeanne! I don't remember black flies from the short stint we lived in Minnesota, but the mosquitoes and ticks were TERRIBLE.

Florida Farm Girl said...

Saw violet green swallows for the first time in Arizona in January. Gorgeous birds.

Fat Dormouse said...


I hope your eggs hatch out! We've got sparrows and swifts nesting under the eaves. I'm also enjoying checking in with this handsome couple & their chicks https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/