There is a substantial private hunting preserve that is close to our pond project. The care-taker of that preserve is the guy that turned us onto our contractor. Yesterday, he took us out for a tour of the hunting preserve to see the numerous examples of native grasses and forbs that they have established. They were in many different stages of development. The development of this property is staggering...a natural nirvana. The education was priceless as we ponder our W.H.I.P decisions to be made this coming Spring.
WHIP link -
-
He said that they mow down the sunflower plots in August and let 'em lay...that's when the birds go berserk for it.
-
-
I regret that I did not get a pic of this, but they had about 1/2 ac seeded with buckwheat. The tiny white flowers all stand at the same height and are so abundant and dense that it appears to be a white linen stretched across the field...gorgeous.
-
-
Anyway, the real reason for this thread. They have a number of ponds on this property, 4 of 'em were built by the contractor we ultimately hired. Thought you would enjoy them. The first is about 6 acres, kinda narrow and stretched out...the pic reveals about 1/2 of it:
-
-
This pond is the newest; on it's 3rd year. It's pushing 3 ac and runs about 20 ft deep at the dam: