One Amazing Bacteria
If you see a shiny, oily, sticky, thick sheen of orange sitting atop the surface of your creek, wash, or pond, you’re probably looking at a mat of iron oxidizing bacteria. While that is a mouthful to say, these amazing creatures actually have a simple mode of operation. To put it simply, these bacteria derive their energy by breaking down the available iron in the water and oxidizing it, leaving behind an orange sludge on
The Sandhills Can Be Seen
My last musing of this nature was back last summer as I “sat and starred at the calm green water” with my faithful companion, Captain Mud. Not the case these days as I am huddled around my trusty Fisher wood stove. Speaking of firewood, In November I thought I had achieved a plenty in my firewood gathering duties, but alas Old Man Winter has proven me wrong again. Maybe next year! Well, the good ship
A Skier’s Lament, and a Fond Farewell
Well, my last foray into the “blog world” was back in February, when the ice was still hanging from the trees. That is not the case these days – the blackberries are beginning to ripen and the cicadas are singing their daytime chorus, so summer must be here. And after last winter’s grip hold, it’s not a moment too soon. As for me, summer is my favorite season. Wait – that last statement may be
Native Plants of North Georgia: There’s an App for That!
The University of Georgia Extension has released an app to help families and outdoor enthusiasts make the most of their outdoor explorations. “Native Plants of North Georgia,” now available for iPad, iPhone and Android devices, is a consumer-oriented field guide of the flowers, trees, ferns and shrubs that populate North Georgia’s yards and forests. Mickey Cummings, UGA Extension coordinator for Union County and the app’s content author, has spent his career identifying plants for day-trippers,
“Fixing” Lake Issues
Every so often, one of our Lake Management clients calls to say, “Our lake is fixed! It looks great, so we don’t need you guys anymore.” On the one hand, this means that we’ve done our job; on the other hand, our job’s not really done, because no lake in Georgia is ever truly “fixed.” Just like people, lakes experience the aging process. A key component of this process is eutrophication, which is the buildup
Lakeside Love Songs
If you’ve ever been anywhere near water on a summer evening in Georgia, you’ve probably heard the distinctive mating call of the male Bullfrog. The Bullfrog is among the largest frog species in the U.S., averaging 4 to 6 inches in length, and is well-known for its loud, deep “jug-o-rum” call. These frogs are common across the state of Georgia and inhabit just about any permanent water body: rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, marshes and the
Happy Earth Day!
Earth Day is one of our favorite days at Aquascape Environmental (read why here). This year’s Earth Day focus on “Greener Cities” is especially exciting for us, as we so often work with water bodies and systems in urban watersheds. Green infrastructure programs like the one developed by the City of Atlanta are a step in the right direction on this issue — good for the environment and for the long-term economic health of the
Calling all Jr. Bird Watchers!
Did you know that the Georgia DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division sponsors an Annual Youth Birding Competition? What is it? The Youth Birding Competition is a 24-hour birding event during the peak of spring migration. Youth teams spend the day finding as many species as they can as they compete against teams their own age. The competition is capped off with a wildlife show and awards banquet. When is it? The 2014 event is April 25-26.
Spring Brings New Life — and Possibly a Few Dead Fish
As the weather warms (hopefully soon!) don’t be alarmed if you spot a small number of dead fish along your lake or pond shoreline. Fish die-offs are not at all uncommon in the spring. So-called “spring kills” occur when a small number of fish who survived the winter die as the water warms. These events are almost always related to a combination of natural stresses unique to the spring season. Water temperatures can fluctuate widely
Can Going Green Keep Your Lake Clean?
As the world has grown more aware of personal and corporate environmental footprints, here at Aquascape we’ve received a growing number of requests for “green” and/or “natural” methods of algae and aquatic weed control. There’s no all-natural magic bullet to solve the problem of unwanted aquatic growth in a hot Georgia summer, but there are non-herbicidal options that can be incorporated into a comprehensive lake or pond management plan. Grass Carp Stocking of sterile Grass
