Flowers from the Austin Pond Tour 2009

The Pond Tour this year was HOT! ...in several senses of the word. There were many, many (almost too many) beautiful ponds all over Austin to see and enjoy. The pond owners were gracious and friendly, and had bottled water for the thirsty tourists which helped us all.



A night blooming water lily that was just closing up when we arrived at Mark's wonderful pond.


There were bees everywhere. I was glad to see them!

I really like the color of these lilies.

I like this photo because of the koi swimming by...


All in all there were over 30 ponds and water gardens to see and admire. We spoke to many people who had no idea there were so many ponds and bogs in Austin! The pond owners worked very hard to show off their ponds and yards. And, the Austin Pond Society folks who put the tour together deserve a special word of thanks for all their efforts to make the tour a success. Bravo!

Next I post up some animals and insects that I got to photograph on the tour, and then some of the ponds themselves. I am really saving the best for last! I hope you enjoy these, and will come back again to see the rest.

All my best to you,
Mike Z

PS-if you click on the Title of this post, you can go to my Flickr collection of flowers from the tour.

The Pond Tour is This Weekend!

This weekend Saturday and Sunday (Saturday evening, too) is the Austin Pond Society's 15th Annual Pond Tour. I am so amazed that a year has gone by so quickly.

As some readers will know, my first Pond Tour was last year around this time. I saw the event on one of the TV stations and convinced Jan to go with me Sunday afternoon to see some ponds. As you might expect I took the camera along...

I want to add a link to my favorite pond of the 2008 Pond Tour, Kathy and Rick's Pond. Their pond will not be on the tour this year, and I will miss the opportunity to see how it has changed. I hope that it will return in future years.

The video above is of Mark Akin's beautiful spring-fed pond and water garden that will be on the Sunday Tour this year. We will be there bright and early to see it in person. The video is so relaxing that I highly recommend it if you've had a stressful day.

And, last but not least, if you are in the Austin Area this weekend, PLEASE consider seeing the Pond Tour! If you'd like to spend $12.50 and see more than 30 of the most beautiful water gardens you've ever seen, go to the Austin Pond Society website, scroll down to the 2009 Tour, and click on Wristbands and Bus Tour. BTW, I am the Tour Guide for the Saturday Bus Tour, and we leave from St Andrew's Presbyterian Church Saturday morning at 8:45am. Should be fun!

Glad you stopped by! Come back often. I enjoy reading your comments. You make my day!

Mike Z
PS--Bad news I think for the Bus Tour. Not very many people it seems want to spend the day in air conditioned comfort seeing ponds. I am pretty certain that the Bus Tour is cancelled. But you can still go see ponds! It really is a great weekend. I promise you'll enjoy the tour.

Fireworks in New Braunfels, 2009

We got to see the fireworks in New Braunfels TX again this year.

I tried again to get some good photos. I hope you like them!

















Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Fourth of July weekend! (This applies to those outside the US, too!)

Mike Z

PS-Thanks to Jason R for showing me how to get the "bulb" setting on my camera.

PPS-To see last year's fireworks photos go to Fireworks 2008