Ponds are amazing ecosystems. Every one is different! In the winter I love watching the waterfowl that inhabits three local ponds. The species and number of individuals vary from pond to pond, and changes all the time. Under the surface of these ponds, an incredible population of aquatic critters also thrives. Let's take a look! You will be amazed at the complex community that lives there!
Protozoans
by Frank Fox, Sergey Karpov, CDC/ Dr. Stan Erlandsen, Picturepest,
Thierry Arnet, Dr.Tsukii Yuuji, https://commons.wikimedia.org
The majority of the underwater pond inhabitants aren't visible to the naked eye. However, with a microscope a whole new world can be revealed. Bacteria, fungi, and protozoans live off the dead and decaying matter that sinks to the bottom of the pond. Nematodes, bloodworms, flatworms, snails, leeches, and crayfish can dwell here as well, along with other bottom dwelling crustaceans, such as isopods, amphipods, and ostracods.
Floating Pondweed - Narrow leaved burr reedPotamogeton natans - Sparganium angustifolium
Growing out of the bottom of the pond, aquatic plants are home for lots of underwater critters, including the nymphs of mayflies, dragonflies, and damselflies, and the larvae of caddisflies, and beetles. These plants also provide food for ducks, geese, shorebirds, and muskrats, as well as oxygen for underwater critters such as fish.
Plankton
©by Christian Sardet/CNRS/Tara expeditions
Then there are the free floating/swimming organisms: plankton, aquatic insects, and vertebrates. Plankton consists of microscopic plants (phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton) that come in a multitude of sizes, shapes, and species. Diatoms and desmids are the main phytoplankton. Protozoans, rotifers, and crustaceans are the main zooplankton.
Then there are the free floating/swimming organisms: plankton, aquatic insects, and vertebrates. Plankton consists of microscopic plants (phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton) that come in a multitude of sizes, shapes, and species. Diatoms and desmids are the main phytoplankton. Protozoans, rotifers, and crustaceans are the main zooplankton.
Mosquito larvae pupae - species unknown
Mosquito larva/pupa, Water Boatmen, Predacious Diving Beetles, and Backswimmers are airbreathing aquatic insects. These insects prey on other insects (even their own species), protozoans, algae, and sometimes small fish! There are also aquatic insects that dwell on the pond surface, such as whirligig beetles and water striders. They feed on each other as well as insects that land on the surface of the water.
Small Water Strider - Common Water Strider (inset)
Gerris incognitus - Gerris remigis
Frogs - species unknown
A wide variety of vertebrates can live in ponds including frogs, toads, newts, fish, snakes, turtles, muskrats, river otters, and, of course, waterfowl! They may feed on each other, aquatic insects and their larvae, or the vegetation that grows there.
River Otter - Lontra canadensis
Ponds aren't just a place for waterfowl to live, they are fascinating complex ecosystems! I'm going to start sampling the water in the ponds I visit, and keep you posted on what I find. In the meantime check out your local ponds! You never know what you might discover!
Belted Kingfisher (male) - Megaceryle alcyon
The Joubert's Diggins Pond
Just above and below are photos of the birds I've seen this winter at our local ponds. I've written extensively in previous blogs about their diet, as well as their social, breeding, and migratory behavior. Just use the "Search this Blog" bar on the top right of this page and type in "Ponds", or the specific name of a bird, to access this information.
Buffleheads (2 males - 4 females) - Bucephula albeola
Mallard (female - male) - Anas platyrhynchos
Hooded Merganser (female) - Lophodytes cucullatus
Red-shouldered Hawk (adult) - Buteo lineatus
Wood Duck (female - male) - Aix sponsa
The McCourtney Road Pond
Ring-necked Duck (female - male) - Aythya collaris
Mallard (female - male) - Anas platyrhynchos
The Charles Marsh Pond
Hooded Merganser (1 female - 2 males) - Lophodytes cucullatus
Canada Goose (adult) - Branta canadensis
Oak Titmouse (adult) - Baeolophus inornatus
The Sutter Buttes and White-faced Ibis - 1/20/21
The Marysville Rice Fields
About three weeks ago we went down to the Marysville rice fields to check out the birds. It was so lovely! The flooded rice fields cover a huge area, so the waterfowl are more spread out. Unlike Gray Lodge with its thousands of Snow Geese, there were mainly ducks, swans, and ibis! In fact, we didn't see any Snow Geese at all!
White-faced Ibis - Pelagis chihi
We saw more White-faced Ibis here than any other wetland.
They were iridescent in the sun!
Northern Pintail (male - female) - Anas actua
Northern Pintails were the most common waterfowl we saw.
The males were so elegantly feathered!
Tundra Swan - Cygnus columbianus
Tundra Swans were numerous! They must prefer the less crowded conditions of the rice fields, or perhaps they prefer the vegetation. Such grace and beauty!
"Love Rain!"
©Jenny Matsumoto 2021
More Damp Earth Art!
Since the local rainfall total at this point is way below our normal amount, around 22", I am once again sending out a "Call for Art" in celebration of rain. My intention is to focus on the need for rain, and through collective positive energy invoke rain to fall. It is just a wish, a thought, and a hope. If you would like to submit some art, or writing, or a photo please email me at northyubanaturalist@gmail.com. Check out what's already been submitted at dampearthart.blogspot.com
You can view what was submitted last year at dampearth.blogspot.com.
I will be posting new art weekly. Check it out and pray for rain!
How much snow fell in the Lakes Basin and at Yuba Pass?
What's happening in the foothills?
Check back next week for the answers to these questions and more!
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Something changed at Blogspot.com. Oh well... However, my blog looks better if you just go to northyubanaturalist.blogspot.com, rather than get the emailed version. I suggest that you just bookmark my blog and visit it every Sunday afternoon!
Your questions and comments are greatly appreciated! Please feel free to email me at northyubanaturalist@gmail.com. Thanks!
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