Farm Pond Intruders

Some people enjoy a backyard pond, or "water feature", that has numerous plants and even a koi swimming about.

Others have farm ponds. Some are acres and acres and some are just a little more than a mud puddle. My pond is 1/4 acre and it's pretty clean. Currently, there are two absolutely enormous amurs feeding on any algae or scum. This is good, because I like to swim when it's warm enough to do so. There are also bass, catfish, and bluegill in the pond. There are even two painted turtles I see sunning themselves from time to time.

Then there's my favorites - the frogs. The bullfrogs should be gearing up here soon to find their love interests.

But not every wildlife visitor is welcome. For instance, no geese, no ducks. The idea of them is nice, but they tend to be nothing but trouble! Fortunately, my dog Tilly chases them far away, swimming after them if she must (she has to spit the ball out first, of course).

Then there are the true villains of the pond. The snapping turtle. One was well on his way to my pond when he was spotted. He has since been carefully relocated, not unlike an illegal alien in Arizona.