A hole in the ice

There is something new in the pond. Check it out! Looks like a big blue button.

It's really a heater. Even when the ice is thick (it is about 3 inches in this picture) the heater will keep a hole open.

The hole will let the pond breathe.

You didn't know the pond needed to breathe?

Yes, the decaying plants on the bottom of the pond give out gases that need to be exchanged with oxygen from the air so that the water is sweet and good for living things.

Is anything living in the pond in the winter?
Yes. Under all that ice and snow our tadpoles and frogs and turtles and snakes and dragonfly babies are sleeping, waiting for Spring.

So we have to take care of the water under the ice all winter.

Winter snacks

Who likes to eat suet on a snowy afternoon? "I do!" says Red-bellied Woodpecker.

"Me too!" say Carolina Wren and Downy Woodpecker.

Some prefer corn and seed.

Like Cardinal and Sparrow.

And what about Crow?

Crow wants more left-over macaroni and cheese!

A message from Socks

Hey! What's going on here?

Did you know this cold stuff was everywhere when you let me out?It's a joke, right?

You don't actually expect me to...you-know-what in snow up to my armpits.