Birth, life and death in the garden

Last July we watched enthralled as a dragon fly laid her eggs just above the waterline of our garden pond. At the time, I remarked that it seemed odd behaviour, as I thought they usually discharged their offspring directly into the water, from something like a convenient lily leaf.

Well, whether hers survived the winter, or others were laid when I wasn't looking, I know not, but since then we have watched the nymphs grow large.  Only last week we saw one competing with a newt for a small garden worm that had fallen into the water. Before that, they doubtless enjoyed a hearty meal or two of baby tadpoles... though thankfully plenty of them have survived too.

Last Friday, two nymphs emerged from the water and began to dry themselves in the warm morning sun. Then one of them spread its wings wide, had a few practice flaps and was away. Over the veg patch it flew, gradually gaining height.......... but not quickly enough.  Tuppence, our acrobatic and ever-watchful pussy cat, sprang into the air, caught it... and that was the end of that!

Which left dragonfly #2, still sunning itself on this ornamental metal robin.  Tuppence too took up position on the opposite side, but this time we foiled her plans as dragon fly and robin were hastily moved to the relative safety of a neighbour's back garden.  An hour later, the robin was there but the dragonfly had flown, free to live for another day or two, lay her eggs and begin the cycle of life once more.

I do enjoy watching our pond life.  Previous ponds of mine have been well stocked with fish, but this time I just filled the thing with water and waited to see what creatures would make it 'home', without goldfish to gobble them up.  Over the last few days I've spotted another dragon fly nymph, a couple of newts (including a cute little baby one) water boatmen and pond skaters. There are also at least two frogs in there somewhere, but they were staying out of sight. Very wise, as Tuppence is on patrol again.