Buying a house with a natural pond in the back yard?
In my area these ponds are common. Originally intended for watering livestock, they often silt up as this one apparently has. If it ever dries completely during drought you might have it bulldozed deeper with the displaced soil used to build up the dam forming the pond. Be sure you discuss this work with any homeowners or neighborhood association, or city administration before starting work. In some states there are rules about changes allowed to waterways and wetlands. Any body of water can be dangerous to small children. That is probably the most significant danger. Secondly, though the pond is spring-fed, the water is mostly still. Still water provides a breeding place for mosquitos, although other creatures living in the pond (fish, frogs) will keep them under control. A bacteria (bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) destroys mosquito larvae without harming any other pond dweller. Third, wild creatures will visit your pond regularly. These will vary from cranes to raccoons to snakes. For the most part, keeping the grass cut between your home and the pond will prevent you from walking upon any of them unawares. Having a shallow but steady pond will allow you to plant water lillies in the deeper water. Marginals can be planted in the shallow water along the edge and bog plants can sit at the edge above the water line. Be careful with water plants, though; they tend to be invasive. Add decorative plants slowly to see how they do in your area. Below are two links to lists of water-loving plants.
Catcher in the Rye, Chapters that mention ducks?
First mention of the ducks is in chapter 2: " I was wondering if it would be frozen over when I got home,and if it was, where did the ducks go. I was wondering where the ducks went when the lagoon got all icy and frozen over" Chapter 9 ""Hey, listen," I said. "You know those ducks in that lagoon right near Central Park South? That little lake? By any chance, do you happen to know where theygo, the ducks, when it gets all frozen over? Chapter 12 ""The ducks. Do you know, by any chance? I mean does somebody come a round in a truck or something and take them away, or do they fly away by themselves--go southor something? . Chapter 20 What it was, it was partly frozen and partly not frozen. But I didn't see anyducks around. I walked all around the whole damn lake--I damn near fell in once, in fact--but I didn't see a single duck
Travelling in Australia in January, where do I start?
My friend and me are planning to travel Australia in January next year. Were applying for A 12 month working visa next month. Our plan is to start in Brisbane as we both have family there, and make our way round Australia for 6 months working. We both have a trade (plumber/electrician) and our family out there work in the construction industry so will hopefully set us up with a job. We plan to do all work from construction, fishing, apple picking ect. ect. Where would be the best places to go? sites to see? things to do? how much money is needed? We are both 20 years old. We would just like to experience something better and see the world abit rather than the disappointing England we live in now! Any help would be great!!! Thanks alot!
Why are there so many seagulls inland, far away from the sea?
Actually there is no such species simply called a "Seagull", its just a term in common usage by laypeople to refer to any number of different species of Gull. The birds you are referring to are probably Ring-billed Gulls (Ring-billed gull) who usually dont live anywhere near the ocean, but prefer lakes and rivers as their habitat. Most live around the Great Lakes in Canada and the Northern US and as a supplement to their diet they scavenge the food and garbage left behind by people in parking lots, such as Wal-Mart or the local grocery store. Another reason these Gulls frequent such places it the strong updraft of warm air created by the sun warming the pavement... much like the updrafts on lakes. It makes flying around all day looking for food alot easier because they dont have to work as hard to stay aloft. The truth is these birds do not fly "hundreds of miles inland" to go to the Wal-Mart parking lot, in fact they probably fly there from the nearest lake during the day to scavenge before returning to their lake area to roost at night.Why do seagulls fly hundreds of miles inland to sit in WallMart parking lots
In “The Catcher in the Rye,” what is the point of Holden Caulfield asking what happens to the ducks in Central Park that leave in the winter? How is this key to understanding the book?
Holden Caulfield is terrified by the idea of change, perhaps because of the loss of his brother. In a way, Holden identifies with the ducks in the pond. They vanish every winter, but they return every spring. This symbolizes that change isn’t permanent. Change is a cycle, and the ducks will return after the winter.Caulfield's environment is also similar to the pond. Although the ducks are in a difficult environment, they still continue thriving through the harshness. Holden seems to bring up the ducks when in uncomfortable situations, such as the cab drivers. Perhaps he finds comfort in the ducks, and the thought of their safety; or the ducks could represent his "escape" from uncomfortable situations (ducks are very elusive). Ducks are a symbol of transition, as they migrate during changing seasons. Through the book, Caulfield goes through similar transitioning, whether it be migrating from his boarding school to the city, or his transition into maturity. Ducks have also been symbolic in other works. I think they represent innocence. Tony Soprano fed ducks that inhabited the pool in his backyard. This shows a calmer, more settling side of his characterization.