Looks like spring is coming about a month early here in the south. Took
off work today and cleaned out my bio falls filter, added two new sheets
of Blue Matala to the two Green I already had and disposed of one of the
bags of lava rock I'd been using. I figured I'd gradually retire the
lava rock as I age and my back gives out. (I also keep bees and that
hobby is notorious for throwing out a back as well.

I had not realized that it had been spring 2010 when I'd last cleaned
the filter/falls. (Bad Ponder!) You can imagine the muck and mulm. Got
everything put back together and the pond is gradually clearing. I
imagine it'll be really clear by morning.

Noticed a couple of lily pads on the surface. (Folks, it's still winter!)

Went out after-wards to admire my work and saw a yellow bellied water
snake about 3 feet long slither across the yard and into the pond. I'd
killed one a couple of years ago and hadn't seen one since. Dang hard
time getting rid of them once they take up residence. sigh

Most of the country is experiencing some abnormally high temps, except here
in the PNW of course!

Yesterday was Early Release so I took the afternoon off and cleaned around
the lily pond (wish my neighbor would take down his looong needle pine) as
that was most of the mess and they have to be picked up by hand as they
clog the shop vac.

Then I took the cover off and started up the filter, added water, as we
didn't get much over winter and by the time the filter filled I was down
almost a foot. A couple of the female wakins look a bit rough, so I added
some salt with the hope I won't have to salt dip them. They look better
this morning and the pond is nice and clear.

I do have a few young'uns with comet tails that will have to be captured
and given away. Hoping to do that soon. Koi ponds are still covered and on
slow flow. Their water temp is only 44F whereas the lily pond is already up
passed 50F! ~ jan
------------
Zone 7a, SE Washington State
Ponds: www.jjspond.us

On 3/17/2012 11:08 AM, wrote:

My first daffodil March 15, usually it is a race to see if they are blooming by my

birthday April 15th.



I'm in N. Alabama, and the Jasmine in my yard started flowering in

January! In the pond, the water lillys have already got small pads up on

the water surface







--

Nik Simpson