Spotting the Sandhills
The rich color display of turning leaves isn’t the only spectacular sight you may have the opportunity to take in the fall. This is the season of the Sandhill crane, when members of this tall, long-necked bird species pass through on their annual southward migration path.
Love Song of the Spring Peeper
The gray days of winter in the Southeast don’t deter the little Spring Peeper from seeking a mate.
Freshwater Bryozoans in Lakes Near You
No, the local cineplex isn’t featuring a 50’s horror-film revival. The blob of which we speak is real, and it may be close at hand . . . as close as your neighborhood lake.
Freshwater Red Tides
"Red tide" is an ominous-sounding name for the phenomenon in which certain algal species bloom in such high concentrations that a reddish-brown discoloration of the water results.
Largemouth Bass Virus
Largemouth Bass Virus — sounds like it could be the latest computer virus threatening to invade your hard drive, but it’s not. It’s a very real biological virus that infects a number of fish in the sunfish family but seems to be fatal only for the most popular game fish in the U.S., the Largemouth Bass.
Fish Kills
If you notice large numbers of fish staying near the surface of your pond early or late in the day, see fish at the surface gulping air, or your fish suddenly stop eating when you feed them, you may be in danger of a fish kill.
Are the Fish Safe to Eat?
Fish are low in fat, high in protein, and rich in beneficial oils and minerals, and can be an important part of a healthy diet. If you live in an urban watershed, however, you may question whether fish caught in your local waters are safe to eat.
Is Aeration the Answer?
Aeration, which is the mechanical circulation of oxygen in a lake, can be highly beneficial for a lake or pond.
Skating on Thin Ice
It bears repeating every winter: stay off of frozen lakes and ponds!
