Koi season is winding down

The warm weather koi feeding and growing season is winding down. The water was 75.9F today, but it will gradually cool off now with the shorter days and colder nights.

Rita, who was 7" in May 2008, is close to 24" now. She's become the largest koi in the pond.


The two Showas, Hana and Princess Yuki, earlier this year. Princess Yuki was 12.5" in June. She has not grown much, perhaps 4". Hana was about 6.5" in May 2008. She's about 22" today. Good growth for her. Note the black dot on her nose and compare it to the following two photos.




The sumi (black) is beginning to emerge on Hana's face. She looks like she's grown a mustache. You can see additional sumi that has yet to fully emerge.


Still hungry!

Misty Morning

Before coastal Southern California became almost completely built out, misty mornings were more common. Vegetation, even dry as it is after the summer, holds more more moisture than concrete, asphalt, and red tile roofing. A cool night following a hot day creates a misty morning.

The mist bejewels the Orb Spinner webs with dew.



The mist silences the distant roar of the freeways. It becomes quiet enough to hear moisture dripping from foliage, thumps in the silence. The Eucalyptus look rich and lush, rather than the dusty weariness they display in bright sun.




The heat will be back by 11 am, though. In the mist I shiver, and wish for heat, but when the heat swells, of course I long for the mist.