A green frog basks in the pond during a late August afternoon. Green frogs are common in the region, and will make use of almost any aquatic habitat.
Aquatic wonders in the back yard
Over the years, fishponds have become popular landscaping projects for homeowners. These man-made ponds are usually stocked with goldfish or koi and offer many hours of viewing enjoyment for people near their homes. These aquatic environments, by design or inadvertently, also attract other creatures that would otherwise be found on a wetland habitat.
The afternoon of September 18, I found myself and the Graham brothers, Ed and Jim, fishing in the area of Baxter’s Pool on the Beaverkill. I went above Baxter’s while Ed and Jim shared that pool. After studying the flow, I waded cautiously across to the left-hand bank. Upon gaining dry land, I found myself on an island. The narrow run of water on the far side of the island looked good as it was in the shade. My stream thermometer showed it was only 65 degrees here versus 68 degrees in the flow of the Beaverkill.
