Mason Bees and Phragmites tubes for sale – Page 17 – Personal. observations by G Fletcher and purchase information for mason bees and Phragmites tubes for their culture

Chettleburgh Pond

2014-11-10peterspond4 — The low light of a November afternoon casts shadows on the duckweed. on Chettleburgh’s Pond .

The lower field on a foggy afternoon

fogfield102014 — The lower field on a foggy afternoon

The Compost Pile benefits from the tractor

2014-10-19tractorcompost — Dragging up branches to the chipping pile from fall clippings

Pond Dwellers September 2014

Dragon Fly laying eggs — Dragon Fly laying eggs under a lilypad

water lily

This video taken ( It will take a few moments to load) in September 2014 shows the hovering-orbital dance of the Mayfly — They belong to the Order Ephemeropterafrom the Greek ephemeros= short lived, as they complete their adult part of the life cycle out of the water in a day. Be sure to click on the arrow on the upper right to see in full screen detail.

Digging a Trench for the Waterline from and the Electrical line to the Barn .

Acquiring a new water tank meant more work for the tractor. A trench was dug with the backhoe which carries the water from the tank by gravity to the reservoir above the pond and there it can be drained into the pond, or the greenhouse and garden. It also carries an underground electircal cable in order to get electricity to the barn.

Moving and Placing a Water Tank

carrytank1 — I was able to find a used 2000 gallon tank in the neighborhood for a good price . This 2000 gallon plastic tank was taken off the truck then moved over to near the barn where it could catch rain water running off the metal roof.

A few straps and chains allowed me to balance the tank on the front end loader.

Placing it in at the right level near the barn.

Super-Moon over Parry Bay, Metchosin

I took this moon-rise picture from my balcony.

Pond Dwellers Spring 2014

In the few short years since the pond was built, it has developed a well-balanced ecosystem. Here are some spring images:

tadpole of Pacific Tree frog

Water boatmen and tadpole

Pacific Tree Frog (Pseudacris regilla).

Pacific Tree Frog

Spider on shore

Damsel Fly

Dragon fly exoskeleton after instar moult

Damsel fly Ischnura cervula – Pacific Forktail

A few of the rather rare red-legged frog lay eggs and inhabit the pond in the spring

Libellula pulchella – Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Libellula pulchella

Lorquin’s Admiral Butterfly Liminitis lorquini

Another tractor transplant

This time I moved a Sugar Maple that I had planted in the upper field to make way for the expansion of the Organic garden for Wind-whipped farm.

Transplanting a sugar maple

Lambing Time in Metchosin

In our pastures these days the lambs of John and Lorraine Buchanan of Parry Bay Sheep Farm are playing in the fields. — Grazing under the Garry oaks.