Heron at Pond (c) Nancy Sakaduski
Nancy Sakaduski Shows Off Her Wildlife Garden
I live in a suburban neighborhood, but am doing all I can to encourage native flora and fauna. Last year I added a small wildlife pond and before it was even finished, I had this remarkable visitor. Now the pond is filled with frogs, tadpoles, various water bugs, native water plants (the only things I added), and is visited daily by a wide variety of birds, butterflies, and probably lots of other animals at night. Behind the pond is a wetland garden, which has turtlehead, marsh marigolds, lobelia, and swamp milkweed. Next to it is a butterfly garden with coneflowers, milkweed, lantana, asters, and other butterfly plants.
I am a marketing consultant and writer who has gotten very interested in gardening, especially gardening for wildlife. I have read a lot and taken many Longwood classes and other workshops to educate myself but have learned the most by doing. I am now the Chester County Master Gardener Coordinator (a part-time position) and write the garden blog for Chaddsfordlive.com.
Show Off YOUR Wildlife Garden
[Note: Guest post by Nancy Sakaduski. This is the first in a series from "Show off Your Wildlife Garden” Your garden could be next. We’d really love to see what you’ve got. So head on over and submit your favorite wildlife garden photo:
Show Off Your Wildlife Garden
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About Carole Sevilla Brown
Wonderful! I would love to sit on that bench and take in the scene! Thanks for posting this. Hope the heron doesn’t stir up too much angst among your frogs
I can just imagine sitting there, watching the dragonflies swirling above the pond, listening to the frogs, and watching out for that Heron. Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the afternoon!
Oh, very nice! I’d love to have a heron visit the yard!
This post inspired me to go work on the frog pond I am (slowly and laboriously) digging in the backyard. I’ve been slacking off, since recent heavy rains turned it into a mud pit, but man, this was inspiring!
Ursula I have a funny heron at the pond story for you. My Mom and Aunt live in Florida and they very much wanted a pond in their garden. The salesman at the pond store convinced them they had to have fish in the pond to control mosquitos, so they dutifully purchased some fancy koi. Imagine how upset they were when a Great Blue Heron came in for an afternoon snack! I told them they had created a great habitat…..for Herons. LOL
PS, YOUR “show off your wildlife garden” post will run this coming Sunday. Thanks for sending it in!
Oh, awesome!
And hee! I’ve heard of such things happening…one of several reasons I don’t plan to stock koi! (Although with us, it’s mostly raccoons.) Pity–I wouldn’t mind feeding herons, but koi are NOT cheap. Suet blocks for the birds are one thing, but $50 fish are quite another…
How wonderful to have such a visitor before even finishing your project! What a blessing for your pond! Great photo!!
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What a nice garden you have. Besides the pond & wetlands garden, you have a butterfly garden as well! Looks restful at that bench. Now I have to look up yr County to see what state you are in.
kathy recently posted..Before Summer Takes the Wildflowers Away
Kathy, Nancy’s garden is in southeastern Pennsylvania. And the fact that she has Herons AND foxes is pretty exciting to me!