New Friends in the Neighborhood

 

The once robust fish population in the back yard pond on the North Forty declined explicably earlier this spring.  Several of our long time favorite koi, and even some newer additions mysteriously disappeared from the pond.  A trap set out for the predators produced no results.

Since the population has held steady for several weeks, Better Half and I are in hopes the predator has exited the scene.  We decided it might be time to add to our dwindling population.  Better Half had seen a "Fish for Sale" advertisement in the local paper. We saw.  We went.  We bought.

 

 

We brought our purchases home in two blue tubs in the bed of the farm truck.  I perched on the overturned bucket for the ride home to guide any jumping koi back into tub.  Gratefully, the fish stayed immersed in the water all the way home.  Don't honestly know what I would have done if one had jumped out of the tub.

 

 

 Tangerine Sherbet, Black Beauty and Stripe, a comet, make their first public appearance on the North Forty,

 

 

as do Scarlett, on the left, and Delta, on the right.  Scarlett is one big red mama.  The rationale for purchasing big fish is to scare away would be predators.  We will see how that works out.

 

 

Here, Better Half gently releases Tangerine Sherbet, Black Beauty and Stripe into the pond.

 

 

After releasing the fish, Better Half takes a seat, where he spent part of the afternoon watching the new fish become acquainted with the brood.  He was happy to report that, after a short time, all were  doing laps together around the perimeter of the pond. 

 

All are fine and healthy today.  The bright new fish have been welcomed into the fold.  Hoping  against all hope that that fish stealer has moved on to greener pastures.