Friday, June 11, 2021

WALNEY POND - PART 2

The reflections in the pond were really beautiful that day.

Walney Pond is down the road from the visitor center.  We had parked at their lot and driven down.  You can't walk safely along the road as it is narrow, there are curves, no sidewalk and it gets very busy with traffic. However, there is a trail between the two, which we have used when we have started off from the pond.  It takes us over a small bridge and through the woods.  We didn't do that this day.

Swallows have often taken up residence in the bird box shown above.  I have watched busy parents going back and forth in years' past but it was quiet on this visit.  There is also a resident beaver.  I thought it had moved on as we haven't seen one in a very long time.  I was looking through our neighborhood page online, and someone had taken very good photos of him.  I'm glad he is still here.
Here is another photo of the Canada Goose couple.
There were several areas where the Yellow Flag Irises were blooming.
Always enjoyable to look at the wild flowers growing here.  Below is the Common vetch.
And next we have the Sawtooth Blackberry.  It is native to the United States and produces edible blackberries.  The leaves can also be used to make blackberry tea, a popular drink in some regions.  Technically part of the rose family and is thorny like other rose plants.
I am not confident enough to try eating either the blackberries or making the tea. There are more knowledgeable and braver people out there than me, but I can enjoy looking at them and take photos.  I believe that is a carpenter bee in the one below.  I have noticed this type of bee has bored a couple of holes in our mail box post, and in one of the posts on our deck.  However, they are not as bad as termites and we are keeping an eye on those holes.  They have been there a while and I haven't seen any of these bees around our home lately.  I recently learned that the female carpenter bee only lays between five and ten eggs in her lifetime.
Several of the trees around the pond had vines growing up their trunks.
This is the Virginia Creeper and is a North American vine from the grape family.  It grows vigorously, has fragrant flowers, decorative blue-colored berries and leaves that turn crimson in the Fall.  I would never advise people to touch any of these plants.  The sap of the Virginia Creeper can cause skin irritation and blisters in sensitive people if it punctures the skin.   
And talking about things you should stay away from, the next climbing plant is Poison Ivy.  We had it growing in our garden and after one visit to the doctor after pulling 'weeds', we got a specialist to remove it for us.  It still grows in the garden but we have it under control now, touch wood!  
When dealing with this awful stuff, it is advised to wear gloves and protective clothing, both of which should be washed thoroughly, and even wash and clean the tools used.  They cause the most dreadful rashes on the skin that can be extremely painful, and the symptoms can hang around for a few weeks.  A doctor's visit is also recommended, we have had experience.
It is almost time to leave now.  A photo taken at the other side of the pond...

and one last shot of the geese as they take off.  I took this with my cell phone and cropped so it's not that clear but it's a memory.


That's all from Walney Pond, until the next time we go.
Thanks for looking and enjoy your weekend.





44 comments:

  1. Leaves three, leave them be!

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    1. Absolutely, thank you for the reminder Linda :)

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  2. Pretty reflections of the geese. I have not seen iris like this, so these must be the wild kind, and not cultivated.

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    1. Yes, I believe this is the wild variety. Thank you Linda, the reflections were wonderful that day :)

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  3. Just beautiful.
    I have heard about poison ivy and am very, very glad we don't have it here.

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  4. Gorgeous pond Denise, the birds plants and all.

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    1. So glad you enjoyed them Margaret, thank you :)

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  5. That last photo of the pond shows how big it is. It was interesting to read about the plants growing around the area. I'm glad that you got the poison ivy under control in your garden. Our daughter has Virginia Creeper in her garden covering a fence. It looks spectacular in the Autumn when the leaves turn red and orange, but as Mr P helps our daughter in her garden with pruning I'm sure he takes care because of the irritating sap. It was also interesting to see your native blackberry plant. Take care and have a lovely weekend.

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    1. Hello Linda, I'm glad you found it interesting. Interesting about your daughter having Virginia Creeper in her garden. I bet it looks gorgeous especially in the Autumn. It's lovely that her Dad is so knowledgeable about such things, she must appreciate his help very much. You take care too and have a lovely weekend :)

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  6. Denise I am so very pleased to touch base again after so much time! Speaking of poison ivy... We have a plant called Gympie Gympie commonly known as suicide plant, such is the agony it causes.
    I love your Canada geese so beautiful! I'll be sure to keep in touch. X

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    1. Hi Rose, so good to see you here and I'm very happy you are blogging again. Interesting about your Gympie Gympie and its description tells me it must be horrible if you brush up against it. Forever curious I looked it up on Wikipedia and here's the addy for those who are curious.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendrocnide_moroides

      I'll be in touch too X :)

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  7. Pretty views of the Ponds, I love the wild iris. I did not know the name of the Sawtooth Blackberry, We have a lot of this plant growing in the nearby forest. The birds love the Virginia Creeper berries. Cute shot of the Geese. Have a great day and a happy weekend!

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    1. Thank you Eileen, glad you enjoyed :) You have a great day and happy weekend also.

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  8. The pond the reflections and the sky is absolutely spectacular! I love those white flowers on the berry bush. I have personally Tangled with both of those Vines and Bob has many times and can attest to the fact that it is Dreadful the red rash that comes from it

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    1. Thank you Sandra :) I am sorry you have had to deal with these plants.

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  9. Beautiful photos Denise. I really love the first one with the sky reflection!

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    1. Hi Martha and thank you :) The reflections were so pretty that day.

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  10. This is a very lush time of year. Plants and birds are at their peak.

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  11. Nice shots! I especially love the yellow irises. Beautiful!

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  12. Lovely photos, I have finally started wearing gloves in the garden, keeps my hands safer and clean.

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  13. That pond is gorgeous as are the wild flowers...the poison ivy? Not so much.

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    1. Thanks Anni, yes, the poison ivy definitely not so much :)

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  14. Lovely set of photos and I love reflections. Keep well Diane

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  15. Oh boy...poison ivy. We have been dealing with some patches here, too. We were so grateful that our son saw it and pointed it out to us before I went weeding it. Love all the reflections!

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    1. Thank you, and I am glad for you also Ellen :)

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  16. beautiful flowers and Canadian geese.... love them all.

    excellent captured.

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  17. A lovely wander with you at your pond today, beautiful reflections. The bird box has quite a setting doesn't it. I hope you see the swallow chicks soon and maybe the beaver! It looks so peaceful!
    Have a lovely day
    Wren x

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    1. Hello Wren :) it is very peaceful to wander there. Thank you and you have a lovely day too x

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  18. Those irises and the reflections are especially beautiful. I know what you mean about not always being confident with wild berries. And maybe that's a good thing.

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    1. Thank you Jean :) and I agree, a very good thing.

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  19. the pretty yellow iris is reminiscent of a Florida native iris I have in my yard - beautiful walk - thanks for sharing!

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    1. You're very welcome Carol, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Your yellow iris' sound lovely too.

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  20. gorgeous reflections, your pictures are beautiful!! i too love iris!!

    the hubs has poison ivy right now, "leaves of three, let it be"!!

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    1. Oh deer on your hubs Debbie, I feel for him. Thank you so much, the iris is one of my favorites :)

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