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 plant on top of the August lily is called Cleavers.
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.
Spiderwort! What an awful name for such a beautiful flower. I have never seen this much algae on any water either. It looks like grass on the ground. I love the tiny potted Japanese Maple.
ReplyDeleteNot the most attractive name for such a beautiful flower, I agree :) well done on spotting that Japanese Maple. I had forgotten all about it.
DeleteLovely to walk with you there and that algae is amazing, never seen so much in water. The plants are nice and the purple one is my favourite, Denise.
ReplyDeleteSo glad Margaret and the algae took us by surprise too :) That purple one is a beauty, I agree Margaret.
DeleteI wonder if the park department is aware of the heavy algae bloom. I thought it was grass too until I read your info. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteI would hope so Linda. I will be checking with their newsletter - people are always letting them know what is going on :)
DeleteI am sure I could enjoy a pleasant stroll there, Denise.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you would David :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful place this is. That gazebo looks very inviting. That is a lot of algea on the water.
ReplyDeleteI love the gazebo Ann. There is another on the top part of the garden but I prefer this location more, it being on the water. Yes, that’s a lot of algae.
DeleteThe cleavers are what hubby used to call sticky weed as it sticks to everything when you pull it.
ReplyDeleteNice variety of beautiful plants.
There are and I always enjoy looking for others on each visit. How interesting about the sticky weed Val, thanks for sharing that :)
DeleteI seriously thought that algae carpet was GRASS!! Such a lovely place to take your daily walk.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like it, that’s what struck me when I saw this photo:) it’s definitely a favorite place for our walk :)
DeleteHello, Denise
ReplyDeleteI am glad you have an easier access to the gardens. It looks like a beautiful place to enjoy nature. The flowers, the turtle and geese are all wonderful sights. Happy Friday! Have a great day and a happy weekend!
Thank you Eileen :) me too. Happy day and week to you :)
DeleteWhat a gorgeous place to walk. I'd love to visit. And isn't all the green lovely?
ReplyDeleteThank you Erika, it truly is :)
DeleteAgain, so much beauty - I guess the turtle was trying to get warm with his legs out - I hate all that algae on him, but I guess he doesn't mind. Beautiful flowers.
ReplyDeleteYes, appeared so : ) I will be glad to see him algae free the next time we go. Thanks Sandie.
DeleteWhen a pond is entirely covered with algae, it usually indicates an algal bloom, which is a rapid proliferation of algae due to excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in the water.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info Linda, much appreciated :)
DeleteI also have not seen that much algae. Lovely flowers. I have some Siberian iris and agree they are beautiful. I brought the with me from my former home 32 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI bet they look lovely in your garden Sandra :) and how great that they lasted as long as they have :)
DeleteIt saddens me a bit to see a lonely Canada Goose and also the solitary loons that we recently came across.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean John, I was looking around a lot for its mate and still hoping she is on a nest somewhere :) I would love to see and hear your loons.
DeleteLovely green walk!
ReplyDeleteThank you Christine :)
DeleteYou have some great close ups of flowers. That's a tremendous amount of algae
ReplyDeleteThank you Red and it certainly is :)
DeleteDenise absolutely lovely...you have such a good eye for finding delightful things to share with us
ReplyDeleteHugs cecilia
Thank you Cecilia :) I appreciate that very much :) Hugs, Denise
DeleteThat was a very lovely walk at this place, with all the flowers and animals.
ReplyDeleteYou brought back some great photos!
Hugs, Elke
Thank you Elke, it certainly was :) You are very sweet and I appreciate your kind words. Hugs, Denise
DeleteI see why you enjoy going back to this garden. Wonderful series of photos. I like what you did at the top of the post with the side by side slim photos. Beautiful. Hope you have a lovely Friday!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ellen :) so glad you enjoyed my collage too. They are fun to put together in my paint shop pro. It was a lovely day thank you. I hope yours was too :)
DeleteThey are beautiful gardens, a wonderful place to walk and ponder.
ReplyDeleteThank you Janice, very much so :)
DeleteHave a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you Anne, you also :)
DeleteThese are wonderful. I love the trees and the sky photo :-D
ReplyDeleteThank you Ananka, makes me very happy you enjoyed our special garden :)
DeleteHello! These photos of nature and wildlife you captured are stunning, my friend. Thank you for including the names as well. I am not very good with that! Have a cozy weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you Billie Jo, I appreciate your kind words. I hope your weekend was a cozy one, and that you will have a great week :)
DeleteSuch a lovely place, I did enjoy your photographs.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest of Friday and have a happy weekend.
All the best Jan
Thank you Jan, glad you thought so :) You too and all the best, Denise
DeleteI love all of the pictures. They are so nice, you got some great shots.
ReplyDeleteSo glad Mary, thank you :)
DeleteThat algae looks to be a problem. I know they close lakes/ponds around here when that happens since the algae blooms are toxic. But what a lovely garden. I've never heard of it before.
ReplyDeleteThat's very interesting Marcia, hopefully they will get a handle on this. I've never seen it before. Thank you, we are very fortunate to have some lovely places for walks around here :)
DeleteI hope you can keep walking around the ponds for a long time yet. Love your photos of the turtle and goose and all the plants. The weed on the ponds should be removed.
ReplyDeleteThank you Diane, so do I :) Glad you enjoyed the photos.
DeleteThe algae almost looks like a soft green carpet spread across the pond.
ReplyDeleteThe gazebo is so inviting.
Love the flowers and critters you beautifully captured.
It certainly does look like a green carpet. The gazebo is very pleasant to sit in. Glad you enjoyed the flowers and critters. Thank you so much :)
DeleteYou have some marvelous walking areas that appear to be relatively easy to get to. Walking in a beautiful environment is so much more fun -- and relaxing too!
ReplyDeleteWe do, very fortunately to have several of them. And couldn't agree more :)
DeleteBeautiful shots
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated, thank you William :)
Delete