Ponds are literally teeming with life, especially in the spring. Finding a pond to sit and relax by is a sublime spring experience. All you have to do is sit still and watch the wildlife around you, from blue dragonflies to songbirds to turtles. Ponds are also fantastic playgrounds for kids. Mine once sat still for an entire ten minutes (no small miracle) watching and waiting for a frog to catch his fly. When he finally did, they broke into wild applause. Better than television!
Many city parks and sometimes cemeteries have beautifully cared for pond habitats. You can call your city’s Parks and Recreation Department for recommendations. If you know someone on a farm or rural acreage, ask if you can visit. Untended ponds often offer more diverse wildlife such as beavers and otters.
Don’t rush. Take along a blanket and picnic lunch. Take a book and read under a shade tree. If there are ducks on the pond, take stale bread to feed them. Take nets for either catching butterflies or skimming for tadpoles. (Either way, release them back to the wild!)
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