I can never resist an opportunity to photograph one of my favorite koi... this guy is pure poetry in motion, lots of curves and grace.. a totally fluid work of art in his own right. He's about 6 years old and is 33" long. I've taken hundreds of photos of him but this is now a new favorite. That's one of the neatest things about the MA and WA, it makes you take photos; and you never know what you'll wind up with.
Beverly you know i`ll love this picture. But i am biased. Superb fish, we dont have many long finned koi over here.
Carrol think long and hard about a pond as they are hard work and i dread the holiday each year and leaving my pond to other people. The hard work is worth it though.
Take care
Mark
CARROL: Thanks, my fish would be flattered. As Mark said, a koi pond is hard work. Koi are rather delicate and you have to learn so much about them to take care of them. Many times we've thought of starting over with goldfish! You get attached to ones like this then out of the blue something will happen and they'll die. It's not for sissies. lol The best pond is one your neighbors own so you can go look at it and photograph their fish. ha
MARK: Yeah, I thought of you as I was posting this! I knew you could appreciate this beautiful koi. You are so right about leaving the fish to other's care, too. Not easy. Ponds are supposed to be relaxing but sometimes they are major stress. The fish are so beautiful though, and when everything is going well it is pure joy. Good luck with yours!
I had no idea this fish was so big. I've managed to kill a few in my pond...usually the water goes bad on me. I have planted two cherry trees, and a peach tree to provide some shade (I think direct sun was a contributing factor). Do you filter your water?
I had no idea this fish was so big. I've managed to kill a few in my pond...usually the water goes bad on me. I have planted two cherry trees, and a peach tree to provide some shade (I think direct sun was a contributing factor). Do you filter your water?
Hey Jim!
Koi are pretty easy to kill, just depends. My koi are in full sun, no shade other than what the water lilies provide, and a big slab of flagstone on a platform (They hide under that). Yes, their water is filtered with a biobeads filter. Good water quality is critical for koi; pH swings are lethal, too much ammonia or nitriates/nitrites, then there's parasites and bacteria, injuries, disseases. They can also die from ingesting something; I had a lantana bush by the pond which had black seeds/berries and the vet said those are toxic to fix so I moved it. I lost one to a raccoon, several to a heron (till I got the Scarecrow motion device!). Saddest of all I left the hose running and displaced so much water with chlorinated water I lost a favorite fish; was lucky I didn't lost them all. Mine have spawned and I've even raised babies. It's far more work than I bargained for, but it's also more beauty and joy, too. Good luck with yours!
Bill Sutherland wrote:
Very fluid indeed Beverley. it sounds as if they require as much, if not more care and attention than children.
I notice this guy features in both MA and WA (and perhaps a previous assignment?) so he could start demanding modeling fees.
Bill: Thanks for commenting! Well, the koi can be pretty needy sometimes. Most days and weeks it's ok, but when disaster strikes it's stressful. Loss is a part of life with a pond, and I'm such an animal lover it's been hard but very rewarding, too. Yes, this guy gets his modeling fees in food, he will work for food, always! He is so unique I do photograph him the most out of all my 10 koi, including previous koi over the last 2 years!
Apr 21, 2008 at 08:02 AM
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