A year ago, I filmed a video of the back garden, and while editing I was astounded by the volume and number of varied birdsongs I heard as I roamed. Somehow, I had tuned this out, or perhaps I was focused on plants and didn’t allow the distraction. When I’m paying attention to the sights and sounds of the garden on weekend mornings (with more mornings in the garden coming soon with my imminent retirement), the chaotic chatter of birds is glorious.

Ashamedly, I admit to being able to identify only a handful of the most common birds, but over the thirty-four years as this garden has developed I have significantly changed my ways to accommodate and to encourage wildlife. There was a time long ago when I sought to rid the garden of tent caterpillars that slowly chewed a fraction of the foliage on two large redbuds. No more, yet now I see that caterpillars (below), beetles, and aphids (and anything else that might have been referred to as a pest) are never out of control and rarely do notable damage.

By my completely unscientific observation, I’m guessing that some kind of natural balance has been reached. All the same insects are here, but the natural food chain is now encouraged rather than interrupted. I don’t do anything except pull a couple weeds, then stand back and watch and listen. Of course, I’ll take credit for providing the shelter, food, and water that has attracted these varied beasts to the garden.

Walking down the back garden to the koi pond a month ago I noticed unusual movement in the water, and as I got closer I saw this was a fresh water otter, one that my neighbor warned me about though I think he said he had “relocated” the little guy. In a pond full of varied sizes of koi this visitor was unsurprising. I figured if the otter visited my neighbor’s little pond he would have to have been here before. Spooked by my presence, the otter scampered off out of the pond and through the forest, heading to the larger pond behind our property where I presume he lives.

So, what to do? At this point the water was still cold and I wasn’t feeding the koi yet, so I had no idea if there were any left, or if the otter had cleaned me out. As it tuned out, there are plenty of koi, and I have no idea how many the otter might have feasted on. But, there’s not a thing I can do, or plan on doing. I’m not building a fence, or whatever other contraption might keep the otter out. Today, the garden is not just about foliage and flowers, so I’ll watch and enjoy. I hope the koi don’t disappear, but if the otter’s going after them he’s taking his time, so it doesn’t appear to be a huge issue.

Meanwhile, I must watch every step in the lower, rear garden. Tiny frogs are everywhere (Eastern Cricket frog, above). Certainly, most must end up on some larger beast’s dinner plate or the planet would be overrun with frogs. In the evening, just before the chorus of spring peepers drowns them out, there are a variety of calls from frogs and toads. Add in the chirping birds, and birds and dragonflies zipping back and forth between trees and the koi pond’s cattails, and you could mistake this place for a wildlife refuge. Happily, I guess it is.