The Universe

The pond at school is one of my favourite places. Over the past 10yrs we have seen it develop its own ecosystem and the variety of life to be seen in and around the area is completely amazing. Bound on all sides by high walls, nesting robins and blackbirds in the hedges around,enjoy freedom from predators such as cats and foxes.Dragonfly nymphs hatch in the stems of Iris and dry their wings in the sun. Frogs spawn in the spring and July brings hundreds of tiny frogs hopping around the oxeye daisies and day-glo orange Crocosmia, providing easy food for the heron that drops in occasionally.The micro life that lives in the water is numerous and varied. On the ground around are spiders,ants,butterflies,bees ...the list just keeps on going.After years of sitting quietly beside it, sharing its secrets with the children or just passing by every day, I am now tuned to its rhythm and feel pleasure every time I see it. My own little private universe.

"Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty." - John Ruskin