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The Year of the Pond by Karen Fattorosi
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Location: Blogs Webster University Business Experts |
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| Posted by: Webster University |
5/1/2007 |
Last year I elected to be "the year of the pond." A niche, just outside the dining room window, protected by a wide overhang and walled on two sides, would be a perfect space for a large fish pond. My imagining included a waterfall, copious plantings–a natural pond setting. Clearing trees, brush, rocks, and lawn debris was followed by what seemed like hundreds of wheelbarrows-full of sand deposited in a low spot in the back yard. All this took about six months to accomplish. After all, this was the "year" of the pond. Sometime in June, when the pond was nearly the right depth and shape the first summer storm occurred. This was the first inkling that my fantasy and mother nature may be at odds with each other but I wasn’t paying enough attention. It took me about a week to dig out and reshape the pond. Then the second storm blew through. Seeing my pond walls fill the bottom of the pond and huge erosion valleys I realized that I had a deadline. By the next storm the pond had to be complete and full of water. And it was.
Rocks, plants, waterfall, natural features were added over the rest of the year. The fish were added sometime after the water cleared and an ecological balance was achieved. Ah, yes, I have my pond. Then. . . . the fish disappeared. Overnight. All but two small minnows. Birds! Who knew? Since then, I have been in an almost desperate struggle to protect the fish from predatory birds, particularly the great egret, a large white heron. I have chanced upon the bird in its typical forward-leaning pose, statuesque, peering for its next catch at the edge of the pond. I have even taken photos of the bird, poised to consume my fish. It’s a mixed reaction: at once I am almost honored that such an elegant, stately creature would choose my pond and horrified to see the danger the fish are in.
Alligator, owl, and snake decoys, plenty of surface plants, radio tuned to talk stations–none have deterred the birds. I restock the pond, they leave the fish alone for a time, the fish grow, then they disappear. I am at a crossroads now. Do I fortify the pond, hunker down, dig in? I’m thinking wire mesh covering the top. Maybe a cage over the pond? Or do I accept the fact that the pond, the fish, the birds, they are so inextricably tied together that I cannot win this. So rather than making this a win/lose proposition, I can choose accommodation. The pond, mesmerizing waterfall, the natural setting, the water plants, are there to enjoy. The fish come and go.
I am going to sit on my cushioned bench by the pond, throw in some food for the fish, enjoy watching their feeding frenzy, and notice with delight that my first water lily has surfaced and is beginning to unfurl its delicate, lightly yellow petals. This is what I enjoy.
An analogy to business? Several come to mind, I leave that to you. What do you think?
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Re: The Year of the Pond by Karen Fattorosi |
By Betty Asselin on
4/30/2007 |
An attractive cage which also encloses your cushioned relaxation bench would seem to be the ultimate answer. Are you a mother? Perhaps you could order a cage for Mother's Day!!!!!
After the consciencious (and back breaking) work that you have described, the pond and environs must be very lovely. Perhaps you deserve the final touch. A Pond and Fish Cage. |
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Re: The Year of the Pond by Karen Fattorosi |
By Karen Fattorosi on
5/5/2007 |
| N.B. I added a wire screen to the top and anchored it down with rocks. Maybe this will deter the birds. However, it certainly detracts from the "natural" look of the pond. The jury is still out on whether having the screen is better than losing a few fish. |
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Re: The Year of the Pond by Karen Fattorosi |
By lynne on
5/7/2007 |
| I had the same problem with owls and hawks eating my fish. I finally had to put a cheapo plastic gazebo with the mesh sides on it to protect my fish, it works. Good luck. |
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