A Cool Perspective
A pleasant spot, even on the hottest days
Shaded by two huge pin oaks, it's always enjoyable sitting by
this pond, even in St. Louis summers.
Overview
- Owner: Dave Schiele
- Location: Crestwood, Missouri
- Installed: About 2002
- Designed by: The homeowners
- Constructed by The Pond Guys
- Size: 11' x 16' pond
- Equipment: Aquascape system
- Special features: Many plants, a water fall, koi and goldfish
The idea of a pond was born when Peggy wanted to do something
with the back yard because "There's nothing there!"
They went to the Home Show for two years and talked to several
people, but no one got back to them. A few years later, they ran
across The Pond Guys who did call back, gave them an estimate,
and received the go-ahead to build it.
They shared their pond on the 2004, 2005 and 2006 Pond-O-Rama
pond tours, and visitors appreciated the lovely, cool spot and
often lingered, enjoying sitting in the air swings. Peggy's gone
now, but Dave will have it on this year's tour!
Wonderful seating in the air swings
Two
years ago, a leak developed. He added water so the pond wouldn't
pump dry and a little later, headed off to work, forgetting all
about it. When he got home, it was overflowing, and all his fish
had died. He lost 11 large koi and about 20 goldfish. On our field
trip to the Ozark Fisheries last year, he bought about half a
dozen koi, and they've doubled in size. (He feeds them two or
three times a day in warm weather.)
The hardy water lilies piled up last summer!
Has
he seen much wildlife? Earlier this year, he had eight frogs.
About three years ago, he spotted a White Egret on the skimmer,
and two years ago, saw a statue in the pond that he didn't remember
having. He went out to check and it was a Great Blue Heron, about
five or six feet tall standing in the water on a shallow shelf.
When it took off, it looked like an airplane - a huge wing span!
He's also had a pair of mallards show up each year that he chases
off, not sure if they'll eat his fish and not wanting the mess.
Three came back last year, and after he chased them off, he discovered
an egg sitting on the skimmer box. (He must have scared it out
of her!)
Great to relax to the sound of water
He
enjoys sitting out every evening listening to the sound of the
water and watching the fish. It's very relaxing and comfortable,
even on the hottest days in the summer.
