Is it a conspiracy?

I walked outside this morning to put some Sun Tea out to brew, and I noticed that I could see the koi in the pond - swimming around.

That wouldn't be strange at all, except my pond is usually covered with lovely water lilies like this one

I walked down the rock steps - and gasped - literally.

ALL the lilies, and the lily pads were gone, completely gone.  The poor fish were hovering in the bottom of the pond with no shade and no cover. 

I checked the skimmer basket - no lily pads in there - so something must've eaten them all.  My guess is that deer came, in the night, and had a feast.

The actual lilies bulbs are in the bottom of the pond, but it will be weeks before they put on enough leaves to shade the pond.  Ponds need shade, not only for the fish, but also to keep the algae from running rampant.

So I spent my day at Water Garden Gems - a lovely pond place about an hour from my house.  I bought new plants, and some other things to help the pond.  The folks there are really nice.

Now to the conspiracy part...

A quick check of my blog posts from last summer shows that exactly one week ago (last year) the deer and the raccoons raided all my tomato plants and spoiled my tomato crop - and my mood.

Last year the land was dry, so the animals foraging was understandable.  This year, we are lush and green - there is NO reason for them to eat all my lilies.

Stupid deer.

So I am heading out now to replant my pond and give the poor koi a break.  I keep imagining the raccoons coming tonight to go fishing, since the fish have no where to hide - it could be a massacre.

Next year, you all are invited to a campout at my house - from June 17 -24.  We'll divide up in teams and some will sleep by the tomatoes and some by the pond.

Cynthia
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Cynthia McKenna Counseling
www.cynthiamckennacounseling.com

Comments

[Ann Zuccardy]

That's a hilarious story. I'm relieved your fish are okay. Ever since I got a dog, the deer no longer seem to think my garden is a big salad. Used to be they'd come right up to the house and gnaw down to their base the leaves of my hosta. I figured hosta was their lettuce. Then they'd eat the tender buds off my lilies. Tomatoes and cukes for their salad perhaps?

This year my only problem is slugs. Slimy little guys. I put little saucers of beer out for them so they can die happy in my garden. I hear that's the "humane" way...

Ann Zuccardy