Aquatic Connections 6th Annual Pond Tour

Aquatic Connections is hosting its 6th Annual Pond Tour. This self-guided tour takes visitors to approximately 10 Bucks and Montgomery County homes, where the homeowners are avid pond hobbyists. The ponds on the tour are various sizes and each has its own unique flare. Come be inspired and learn how to transform your backyard into a peaceful retreat. Ponds and pondless waterfalls are fast becoming the number one way to bring Nature to you. Attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and songbirds of all varieties by adding a water feature.

The directions for the pond tour will be available at Aquatic Connections on the morning of the tour. The cost is $10 and everyone who purchases a ticket will receive a $10 gift certificate to Aquatic Connections.

For more info go to www.aquaticconnections.com and register online so we know to expect you on June 21st. See you there!

Ponds for Kids Class is a Huge Success

I have finished both of the Ponds for Kids classes I was teaching. They were both a huge success! The kids learned alot about building ponds during their six week class. The third and fourth grade students actually built a complete backyard habitat in their classroom. The project included a pond and a pondless waterfall. It was landscaped with rubber mulch to look like a real garden. A bird feeder and butterfly hibernation box were added for a realistic touch. The kids had fun and discovered that Nature could be pretty cool. Before, during and after pictures can be seen in the children events section of photo library on Aquatic Connections website.

Great Backyard Bird Count

Over President's Day weekend we participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count. It was simple. All we had to do was look out our dining room window and count the different types of birds we saw. We recorded our results and posted them online. We saw 2 cardinals (one male and one female), 15 Dark-eyed Juncos, 8 Mourning Doves, 3 Black-capped Chickadees(that surprised me-we used to see more in our backyard), 1 Blue Jay and 1 Red-Bellied Woodpecker. I used a new bird seed called "No Squirrels-Just Birds" in my ranch feeder and it really worked. If anyone else counted the birds that weekend and would like to share their results, please feel free to post them. Any other comments or stories about backyard bird feeding is welcome. Last years results can be found on the Audubon Website.

February is National Bird Feeding Month

You and your family can participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count! Count For Fun, Count For the Future! This February 15-18th bird watchers all across North America will be participating in the 11th annual Great Backyard Bird Count- what about you? This popular hobby and can be done from your yard, a city park, nature center, even your fire escape. Best of all, your actions truly make a difference as your count is included with thousands of others, helping science and conservation spotlight changes in bird populations and distribution from year to year. Aquatic Connections is participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count by educating elementary school children about the most popular birds they might see in their Pennsylvania backyards. An interactive presentation for 6 and 7 yr olds features the stuffed animal Birds from the Audubon Society. Realistic in appearance, these stuffed animals also play the call of each bird, so the children can hear the various songs birds can make. Examples of bird feeders and types of bird seed are shown to the kids to help them learn how to attract cwertain birds to their backyard. The children particpating in Aquatic Connections Ponds for Kids classes will be counting the birds in their yard and sharing their results after the Great Backyard Bird Count. For more information visit the events page of Aquatic Connections website.

Squirrels Crawl Under My Pool Cover

I couldn't believe what I saw out my kitchen window yesterday. As I looked out across my backyard, I saw a squirrel disappear under the pool cover of my inground pool. It walked right up to the edge, near the ladder in the deep end. Much to my surprise it crawled through the slit in the cover where the rails come out of the pool. I stood there, almost holding my breath, and waited. I sure hoped he was going to climb back out. I really didn't feel like going out there and rescuing a drowning squirrel from the frigid pool water. Luckily he did come back out a minute later. Why did he do that, I thought. I took a look at my pond-frozen! I took a look at my heated birdbath-empty! He needed a drink. Fresh water is so important this time of year. It can be very difficult for animals to find it sometimes. My heated bidbath works great-when I keep water in it. And yes, I have seen squirrels drink from it. They take turns with the birds. They all need water. My heated birdbath helps more than just the birds! Call Aquatic Connections and see how you can get one for the wildlife in your backyard. Visit Aquatic Connections website to learn more about our committment to backyard habitats.

Are Pond Hobbyists Creating a Sustainable Environment?

Who benefits from having a pond? I guess to many, the immediate answer that comes to mind is the homeowner. Ponds certainly are relaxing, inspiring, and a conversation piece. After a hectic day at work, most pond owners can find some peace and tranquility sitting around their pond, enjoying its beauty.

But, the pond is more than that. It's a living environment, a well balanced ecosystem that is home to many plants and various creatures. Hardy pond plants return each year, filtering the water with their roots, providing shelter for your fish, naturally providing oxygen as they grow and thrive in your pond. Plants and shrubs that are used to landscape around the pond provide a source of food and shelter for many forms of wildlife. Bees pollenate the flowers, birds are provided shelter by the surrounding foliage. Various forms of wildlife inhabit your pond, too. A pond's year round inhabitants may include your fish, but also, frogs and snails. Visitors may include birds, butterflies and dragonflies. Each species needs your pond for a reason. Squirrels can be seen drinking from the edge of the pond. Birds drink, eat insects or perhaps fruit that may have fallen in from a nearby tree. They take baths along the edges of the pond or waterfall, as do butterflies and dragonflies which are attracted to the calm shallow water.

Sustainability is a huge buzzword right now. There are many agencies and organizations trying to deveolp theories and guidelines to make sure landscapes provide a sustainable environment. The goal is to make sure that landscapes benefit humankind and other organisms by providing valuable ecosystem services, which improve environmental quality. I think pond owners are on the right track, don't you? Visit Aquatic Connections and take a tour of the water garden center. You'll be inspired. For a preview of the ponds that can be created, go to Aquatic Connections website. A pond can bring your backyard to life!

Elementary School Students Build a Pond - Ponds for Kids 2008 K-1

Aquatic Connections is involved with the Ponds for Kids Program for the 4th year in a row at a local elementary school. Twelve kindergarten and first grade students signed up for a six week, after school enrichment class. During the class, the kids will actually construct an indoor pond. They learn to work together as a team, using various math and science skills, measuring the gallons of water, weighing the rock that they use, and taking the water temperature. Their pond will be a complete ecosystem with plants, fish and proper filtration. The class sparks their curiousity and their imagination. It's a great way to learn about ponds and nature. To see photos of their pond as they build it, visit the projects & photos page on Aquatic Connections website.

Garden Centers Closely Watch the Fashion Industry for Color Trends

Did you know that the gardening industry closely follows the fashions trends for the upcoming year? They take a close look at the hottest new colors that clothing designers are using. The newest color trends for clothing spill over into many other industries, outdoor living for example, and yes, even gardening. Pottery and Flowers that have interesting color names are more appealing to consumers. Like Pink Mist,Daiquiri Green and Snorkel Blue to name a few. Pantone's Fashion Color Report lists their top ten picks and you can find them list on Aquatic Connections Website under "2008 Trends" in the FAQ section. Click here for a direct link, so you can be in style this spring.