This vernal pool has become very brushy.
Just outside the edge of the forest is pasture, where it is easier to walk.
Opportunity Knocks
This year I took advantage of the storm from last fall, that knocked down trees.
This is a uprooted Hackberry. I am using the depression as a moist habitat for a couple Canadian Hemlocks.
December Water
When heavy rains fall, this temporary pond in the goat pasture fills up.
I built this pond with a wheelbarrow and my trusty wolverine spade.
Too Much Water Makes Waterfalls
A nearby pond dam broke and the water is pouring over the damaged dam, creating a beautiful sight.
Gully Washer
This year and last has been a prolonged gully washer.
4 inches of rain has fallen lately, causing water to carve deeper into the surrounding land. Building dams is the main way I hope to help stop the deepening canyons.
Pond River
The emergency spillway is in full use on our main pond.
Over 90 acres drain into the 1 acre pond. Too much water for too little pond. That will change.
Water Never Before
Even holes I dug a long time ago filled up with water for the first time.
This is the 2nd year in a row with over 50 inches of rain in a year. Last year was a record, and this year beat last year. We average 30 inches of rain a year.
Pond Island Reappears
All the water ran down the hills and has filled up my Island Pond again.
The Island only exists with excess water, like this year has provided.
Escape Artist
I will have to build up the dam on this vernal pond.
The water is escaping through the goat pasture.
Greenery
I keep planting evergreens throughout the woods. I would have liked my bamboo to live and be one of the important evergreens, but so far only conifers are important here.
Owls like the winter habitat I am creating for them.