"A week later I got a letter in the mail that I had taken first place for amateurs. Go figure."

Doesn't surprise me. A lot of what you post looks magazine worthy. Very good eye, I don't think that part can be added easily.

9 yr old pond, 1 ac, 15' deep.
RES, YP, GS, FHM (no longer), HBG (going away), SMB, and HSB (only one seen in 5 yrs) Restocked HSB (2020) Have seen one of these.
I think that's about all I should put in my little pond.
Otter attack in 2023