A view of the pond through the garden room

The pond is small but so important. Butterflies and dragonflies visit. I like to think the frogs keep the mosquitoes under control but they miss a lot. We'll add fish when it's warm, and though the pond's deep enough for fish to winter over, this winter was an exception. The saddest thing several years ago was when the goldfish grew large enough to be noticed by the raccoons who went fishing one night in a clumsy bout with the waterlilies. The fountain hasn't worked for years—would be awfully nice for the sound of water trickling. Watching the fish swimming from the second floor is an unexpected pleasure.

Carp at Chanticleer

Everything is so perfect at Chanticleer! It's a big reminder of our own annual pond cleanup. Our little pond in the center of a formal garden where the frogs have already set up residence. The draining of the pond is always a big worry about disrupting their reproduction. I guess it's time for me to keep a serious garden journal. All the waterlilies need separating. They grow like crazy. A sunny day is necessary for this job—too chilly now to think of getting wet.

A hatchling

Almost hidden, this baby is already a strong flyer. Let's see if I can track the change in color. I'm wondering how long it takes.

The Wisteria is in bloom

Bees are busy. The Wisteria drapes itself on a trellis on the front of our house and smells heavenly. Purple petals drip to form a carpet below and later velvety seed pods will hang like so many ornaments. Looking up they become lavendar wheels.

Huntress

I turned and suddenly a mysterious visitor posed just for the time it took to snap a picture. No doubt she was an actress in a previous life; accustomed to artfully arranging herself upon the stage. One breath and poof, she was gone!