
Recreating a native habitat has been a dream of mine since I was about 18. It only took me 20 years, but I finally have two acres of land in the country with which to work (and play). My goal is to document the improvements I make to the property: restoring habitat & attracting birds and butterflies in addition to other wildlife.
Just the back yard!? Nah, I want the front and side yards landscaped in natives too.
Showing posts with label water strider. Show all posts
Showing posts with label water strider. Show all posts
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Just Add Water
After hauling two more large rocks to the site of my pond and streambed project, I finally felt ready to resume building a water feature...at least the first phase in what I envision for our hillside.
The hole I dug last year was filled up with weeds...and a few natives that I moved to another project I'm working on--the backyard slope. After moving the rocks I'd left in place since last year so that I could mow and see what I was working with, I dug a little more, raked away stones, and put down the liner ((with old carpet underneath). I filled it with water to get a feel of what I was working with. Being that it is near the top of a hill and on a slope, I have my work cut out for me. Honestly, I was a little discouraged as I tried to imagine how I could eventually make this look natural. Now, two days later, I feel quite a bit more sure that it will turn out okay.
What surprised me the most was, the next morning (less than 24 hours after filling the liner), I found a water strider bug (Limnogonus fossarum)! The following morning, I spotted two other insects under the water; I've seen them before, but don't know what they are--yet. :)
"Just add water"...it really is as simple as that...not that hauling all of the rocks, and now trying to piece them together to look natural is exactly simple. :)
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