GREEN SPRING GARDENS NEAR THE PONDS ON THURSDAY, MAY 7TH, 2026

This is another favorite place we like to walk, as I have mentioned many times before. The ponds are down the hill from that flat area of the gardens, where we normally go. We used to make a loop at one time, where we would park our car, and start from the flat area, walk down a very steep hill (which is on the other side of the green area and not the one in the picture above though it's steep enough), cross a small bridge and make our way towards the ponds from the opposite end, and then go back up the hill (above photo) to the parking lot. Nowadays Gregg drops me off at the bottom and I have been wanting to go back to this area for a long time. 

There is a road with an electronic barrier for a private home opposite this part of the garden, so we can't park. However, there is access for pedestrians to get to the ponds.  I'm just very happy to be back there and I like looking at the private garden also. The birdhouse has been a fixture there for years.

There are three ponds, two large ones and one very small pond which we often forget about. Not next time! I have already showed you the first one covered in algae, and the turtles. I will mainly concentrate on the second pond this time, with perhaps a few of the first one I shared. 

We were able to sit in the gazebo for a little while. Usually it has others enjoying its shade. The carpet of algae looks like grass in this photo. We saw a fish jump, creating a large circle opening of clear water, and then just as quickly it closed up.  There was a cardinal sitting on the rail as we approached. You will see a little small red in the middle. No time for a decent photo. He was away into the trees.

Below you can see the interesting patterns it created. 

I took a photo of Gregg who was very interested in them too. I share quite a few of his photos here today. Neither of us have ever seen this much algae on the pond before. It looked extraordinary and wondering what it's doing to the turtles and to the fish and any other life in that pond. Hopefully with aeration and the water fountain, it will be a different story when we go back.

On our way to the second pond...

We walk around and I took photo of the only Canada Goose I saw that day. I was wondering if this one's mate was on a nest somewhere hidden. If you look on the left you can see another turtle resting on a log near the water lilies.

I also took photos of a few plants and flowers getting here.

The new growth leaves of the Black walnut was the first thing that caught my eye.

Above is the Golden alexander. I have put a link on all the flowers and plants for more information. Just click on their names.

The glossy ridged plant above is the August lily.

The plant on top of the August lily is called Cleavers.

Above is the Sawtooth blackberry and next...

The Ohio spiderwort was my favorite of the day. 

but on second thoughts I think it ties with the Siberian iris. 

Just a thought. If anyone thinks I have the ID wrong on any of these, please let me know. I would be happy for you to do that as I want to get things correct. 

One last look at our Canada Goose and the turtle.

That's all from our latest trip to Green Spring Gardens until next time.

Thanks for looking and I hope your day is a great one.