Draco Pond

About Draco Pond

The way this garden and pond came to be is quite extraordinary. I contacted Primarily Ponds because I wanted to give my wife a place to escape to after taking care of me throughout the day. After discussing plans with Dave, the designer, I was told he would install and construct a water feature, pond, and patio, charging only for the cost of the water feature materials. Furthermore, they agreed to work without charging labor; a 3 day job.
Our yard was transformed from a flat featureless surface, into a beautifully blended work of nature and art. They even incorporated a flagstone path and patio to make it easier for me to get to the pond. Every visit we see something different from the day before. We can honestly say we forget about our troubles and find ourselves in a very comfortable silence while gazing at the 5 ft tall lit main waterfall, the 2 lit minor falls, the 1,000 gallon pond, the surrounding garden, and the cedar and maple trees.

Due to the number of dragonflies observed at the pond, we named it Draco Pond, after the constellation.

OBSERVED COMBATANTS
	SHOWA / UTSURI KOI (up to 28") Strengths: -fast, and extremely maneuverable -very adaptive to changing environment -medium armor -can go days w/out eating Weakness: -no offensive weapons -friendly, but scare easily COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS:
©Cirrus Digital Imaging	BLUE DASHER (2-2.5" wingspan) Strengths: -light, fast, and extremely maneuverable-easy ambush -very territorial -deters other insects using its ominous looks and size -long range (85mi/day) -near 360deg visibility Weakness: -no offensive weapons -no armor -akin to fratracide -strong libido -small compared to other dragonflies COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS:
©Cirrus Digital Imaging	WIDOW SKIMMER (3" wingspan) Strengths: -small area of operation (250 sq yd) -deters other insects using its ominous looks and size -med range -near 360deg visibility Weakness: -larger and poor concealment -slower, not very maneuverable -no offensive weapons -no armor -akin to fratracide -doesn't protect damsels COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS:
© Michael P. Gadomski/Photo Researchers, Inc.	COPE'S GRAY TREEFROG (1.5"-2") Strengths: -amphibeous hybrid (land, water, trees) -camouflage-can change color from green to grey -defensive: poisonous to predators (aquatic/terrestrial) -offensive: tongue -preys on all insects Weakness: -no armor -relatively small compared to other North American frogs    (also a strength) COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS:  -this little one packs a punch.
© Michael P. Gadomski/Photo Researchers, Inc.	BULL FROG (3"-8") Strengths: -amphibeous (land, water) -defensive: poisonous to predators (aquatic/terrestrial) -offensive: tongue, mouth -preys on anything it can swallow (insects, frogs, fish, birds) -the largest North American frog Weakness: -no armor -lazy hunter, but scares easily -remains a tadpole up to 2 yrs COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS:
© Michael P. Gadomski/Photo Researchers, Inc.	SQUIRREL TREEFROG (2-2.5") Strengths: -amphibeous (land, water, trees) -defensive: poisonous to predators (aquatic/terrestrial) -offensive: tongue, stay in groups -preys on insects Weakness: -no armor -relatively small compared to other North American frogs    (also a strength) COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS:
	GREAT BLUE HERON (Wingspan: 70 inches ) Strengths: -freakin' big (largest in N. America) -defensive: enormous spear-like bill -offensive: size, lays in wait -15 yr lifespan Weakness: -slow movement while hunting -slow to flight -can choke on prey COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS:
CYPRINIDAE  Koi are a variety of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio. Carp fossils have been discovered in South China dating back about 20 million years. Some varieties are known for their hardiness, hich records claim can live for long periods of time if simply wrapped in wet moss continuously kept damp. We bought (4) 4in young imported Japanese Koi for our pond; 1 Showa (blue, red, black), x3 Utsuri (orange/black, orange/white, yellow/black) ODONATES  Dragonflies are among the most ancient of living creatures. Fossil records go back to Carboniferous times which means that the insects were flying more than 300 million years ago, predating dinosaurs by over 100 million years, and birds by some 150 million. The largest fossil  is from the Permian period, with a wingspan of 27.5-29.5in. The largest modern species, with a wingspan of 7.5in, is the Hawaiian Endemic dragonfly. The smallest modern species recorded is the East Asian Libellulid dragonfly with a wingspan of only .75in. Dragonflies are the world's fastest insects capable of reaching speeds of between 19 to 38 mph and can travel as much as 85 miles in one day. Compound eyes, with 30,000 facets, provide superior sight and are arranged to give a nearly 360° field of vision, important for taking prey on the wing. They are beneficial in the same respect spiders and other predators are beneficial - they keep the burgeoning insect population in check. Some even prey on each other. ANURA  The earliest known proto-frog (couldn't jump) was from the 250 million year old early Triassic. The earliest true frog is from the early Jurassic and was estimated to be 1.3 in from snout to vent. The evolution of modern Anura was completed by the Jurassic period. The main evolutionary changes involved the shortening of the body and the loss of the tail. The earliest full fossil record of a modern frog is 125 million years ago and had all modern frog features. ARDEA HERODIAS  Herons have origins stretching back to the Lower Eocene period, some 55 million years ago. They prey on fish, frogs, and other marsh denizens.
FrogWatch USA Cirrus Image

Pond/garden conditions are monitored by a Davis Wireless Soil Monitoring station and Weather Station. The data is collected every 1sec and the site is updated every 10-60sec. The combined station is comprised of an anemometer, barometer, temperature and humidity sensors, rain gauge, solar radiation sensor, 2 soil moisture sensors, and 4 thermo-hydro sensors positioned in the soil at the top of the hill and along the pond rim (measuring ground temps and providing soil moisture condition). Two more hydro-thermal sensors are placed in the pond, at 1" and 15" depths.