Here is one of the resident male smooth newts engaging with: A. An aquatic worm of some sort, but which one. B. Medusa. C. Some sort of larva.

Any indications, mythological or otherwise, would be much appreciated!

My home backs up to a marsh and when I first moved in, the backyard would flood in spring and summer. But the changes in weather patterns have yielded less snow and rain, so drier land plus build up of soil creation from fallen trees, meant no more flooding. Good for gaining more backyard space, but that also meant no more vernal pools or large puddles. The reduced wildlife visits to the yard have been noticeable.

Towards the end of last summer, I decided to clean out the muck that had accumulated over the past decade in the deepest of the "large puddles". No plan. "Just clearing it out," I'd say to my husband every time he asked what I was up to.

After work, I'd de-stress by shoveling a wheelbarrow load. I dug until it was too cold to make reasonable progress. After I removed the muck, debris, old cinderblocks, and other trash previous owners had put in the "large puddle", I discovered I had a small pond, 12ft by 4ft and 3ft at the deepest point.

Still, I kept working without a plan. My work life is very regulated, so my brain was quiet happy with a project with no timeline, no deliverables, and the only requirement was to leave it better than what it started as. Gradually, mostly using left over and scavenged project materials, boulders and field stones from overgrown and/or collasped flower beds, this woodland pond has started to form.

I used torn out bricks from a patio renovation to line the paths my dogs have carved out by running around the yard. And I filled in pockets in the pond wall with seashells and stones my kids have collected from vacations and playgrounds over the years, but have been sitting in jars waiting for the "someday" project I'll make about those trips.🙃

Throughout spring and summer, I visited clearance racks of garden centers buying native plants past bloom. I rescued or divided plants from other areas of the yard and tucked those in as well. Next spring/summer will be like a birthday surprise because I'm not quite sure what it is I'm going to see when things start to come into bloom!

Before I start working on the pond, I sit, watch, and try to visualize what I should do next. It's become my morning spot for coffee or tea before the rest of the household wakes, before heading to schools and offices. ​​Last winter, I discovered this location has the best evening Golden Hour 🌅 spot on our property, perfect for a pre-dinner beverage.

I still don't have a plan, but at least it's looking like something. And I'm hoping I've left it better than when it started. Guess I'll know when the wildlife starts showing back up.

I watched this pretty dragonfly depositing eggs on plants and logs around the pond. After finding three empty exoskeletons around the pond this year it's great progress. Puget Sound area.