Some leisurely lurking around our garden pond in times past yielded some patterns pleasing to the eye and to the mind. In these troubled times and after the widespread damage from the fearsome hailstorm we experienced last week, for this post I settle for some undemanding peace and quiet.
The severity of the hailstorm did not result only in damage to vehicles and to residential housing, but also it caused significant damage to electrical infrastructure such as substations and transformers, to water and sanitation infrastructure, to roads and bridges, and to municipal buildings including our iconic City Hall. The estimated cost to municipal infrastructure amounts to R2,8 billion and the city has declared a local state of disaster.
So, for this more soothing post I have selected from my stash of old images photos taken of our pond and surrounding plants. Since the storm, the pond has not been looking its best: the water plants are shattered and shredded and there is a lot of plant debris all over the garden, which on an ongoing basis we are still clearing up, including out of the pond.
In the image above, the reflected sky and the reflection and shadow of leaves create a dreamlike quality as tadpoles forage on the surface of a submerged rock.

At the pond there is a stand of tall emezi grass also known as mat sedge (Cyperus textilis). The vertical reflections of the reed-like stems alternate with narrow stripes of bright reflected sky, and add to the layered effect produced by water plants, fallen leaves and rocks in our garden pond.

The narrow leaves and stems of wild irises and sedges provide a diffuse patterned backdrop for this damselfly with its veined wings outstretched.

Thick strands of spawn from guttural toads (Sclerophrys gutturalis) are coiled around a rock and then back and forth across the pond, making for an arresting pattern in the pond.

An adult Natal tree frog (Leptopelis natalensis) is perched on a long narrow Crinum leaf beside the pond. The frog’s amber eyes contrast strikingly with the camouflage patterns on its skin. Female tree frogs can lay as many as 200 eggs in shallow burrows or among dead leaves near the water’s edge. Once the tadpoles hatch they are able to wriggle to the water and even climb over stones and sticks in their path.

Leaves and shadows of the lesser water-parsnip (Berula thunbergii /erecta) pattern rocks in the pond.

Frequent visitors to the pond are dragonflies. This one is showing the delicate tessellated patterning of its wings.

Dwarf or miniature papyrus plants (Cyperus prolifer) form spikey and almost spherical inflorescences making for a densely patterned architecture in the bog garden next to our pond.

After a gentle rain the needle-fine leaves of the broom asparagus (Asparagus virgatus) form a pattern of reflective raindrop crystals. The plant, also known as the asparagus fern, bears tiny white flowers in the summer that lead to small red berries that are relished in particular by visiting vervet monkeys.

In soft focus, the spine-shaped leaves of the common rush (Juncus effusus) provide parallel patternings alongside the pond. And to finish, below is a raindrop decorated flower of the yellow wild iris (Dietes bicolour).

Yesterday brought very sad and shocking news. A close friend of my sister’s, a lovely kind-hearted family man with an irresistibly buoyant sense of humour and an adventurous spirit, died suddenly a few days after the onset of Covid-19 symptoms. He will be greatly missed and we send our deepest condolences to his family.
He was a huge fan of the Rolling Stones. So in his memory I link here to one of the Rolling Stones’ quieter songs, ‘As Tears Go By’ – in memory of Mike, and may he rest in peace.
Posted by Carol

December 8, 2020 at 3:55 am
Oh my! those strands of spawn look like the toads aren’t taking any chances increasing their numbers. Our tree frogs look quite a bit like yours except ours are a solid bright, almost fluorescent green). They’re cute, too, since they’re so tiny. A delightful post with so many calming, beautiful images. Those dragonfly wings are fascinating.
Sorry to hear of your friend’s passing. Seems as though 2020 has turned into one of those abysmal years for far too many. Hoping and wishing you a far better coming year! I think I’m ready to be done with this one.
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December 10, 2020 at 8:31 pm
Thanks Gunta.
Indeed, we can only hope that 2021 will bring about some changes for the better.
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November 28, 2020 at 6:35 pm
So sorry about the loss of your friend, Carol. My condolences. Your stunning nature studies of your pond brought a sense of calm to me. Thank you.
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November 29, 2020 at 11:50 am
Thank you Jane for your kind condolences. I felt it kind of calming to look for and find those images.
I hope you had a quiet and restorative Thanksgiving, despite the nightmare of the escalating pandemic. Keep well and keep safe. With best wishes.
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November 28, 2020 at 5:56 pm
Sometimes there are times when everything comes crashing down on you. It’s hard. I hope you can comfort each other well. Sad to hear…
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November 28, 2020 at 7:56 pm
Thanks so much for your sympathy Simone. A lot of people across the world are going through very sad and difficult times due to the pandemic that is surging in so many places.
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November 28, 2020 at 11:16 am
A post this week brings mixed emotions…. From shock at hearing that the City Hall was damaged – I do love that magnificent building, and hope that it can be repaired soon. If the special clock is still inside, I hope that was not damaged. Following the shock comes the peacefulness of your beautiful photos of patterns in the pond. I love the frog, damsel fly, Cyperus, Asparagus, and the stunning one of Juncus! Then the unexpected news of your sister’s friend and the lovely tribute from you. Very sad.
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November 28, 2020 at 12:59 pm
Happy to hear you are also fond of the Pmb City Hall. I gather it was mostly damage to the roof caused by the hail, so let’s hope it is repaired soon so no internal damage ensues.
The special clock was moved to the Tatham Art Gallery some years back. It is currently in for repairs – see this recent newspaper article https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/weekend-witness/20201003/281745566840321
I almost didn’t include the Juncus pic, so it’s great to hear that you like it as I have a soft spot for it.
Yes the passing of my sister’s friend is incredibly sad. Thank you for your kind thoughts,
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November 30, 2020 at 12:10 pm
I could not remember the details of the clock until i read the article on the repair of the clock! I can still vaguely remember it from when I last saw it in the 1980’s! It is so impressive.
I have a Juncus spiralis, which is not doing too well, but I do think they are such lovely plants.
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December 1, 2020 at 8:00 pm
It was quite odd finding that very clock so recently in the news!
I hope your Juncus spiralis starts ‘settling in’. The Juncus effessus copes very well with conditions here and is very hardy.
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November 27, 2020 at 4:21 pm
Your reflections and shadows are lovely….so soothing and serene, Carol.
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November 28, 2020 at 9:38 am
Thanks very much Sandy. I hope you have a serene weekend.
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November 28, 2020 at 3:27 pm
You also.
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November 27, 2020 at 3:07 pm
It’s when Covid 19 comes close to home that we realise just why it is so deadly. So sorry for all of you who counted your sister’s friend in their lives. The financial implications of that hail storm are hard to comprehend too – just when everyone is reeling from the budgetary requirements of Covid. Thank goodness for your lovely, soothing, beautiful and – yes – elegant post.
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November 28, 2020 at 9:38 am
Thanks very much Margaret for your sympathy.
Re the financial implications of the hail storm – as it was, our municipality has been in dire straits for some time with serious management problems and with much infrastructure falling apart. Power and water outages are a common occurrence, for example.
Today there is an unusually powerful and gusting winds. Unfortunately tarps over damaged roofs in the neighbourhood are being blown off. We are fortunate in that we have had preliminary repairs done replacing the most critical of the damaged tiles on our roof – which number over 200 by the way.
Glad you found the post soothing – we all need all the soothing we can find …
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November 28, 2020 at 10:05 am
Especially you just now. Oh dear. You seem to be ahead of the curve organising repairs at least.
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November 27, 2020 at 12:20 pm
Sending wishes for a return to tranquil times. Thank you for sharing these astounding photographs
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November 27, 2020 at 8:41 pm
Thank you very much Mariss.
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November 27, 2020 at 5:33 am
When you mentioned damage to the City Hall my immediate thought was “the poor fruit cake”, for that is what it was often called during the years I lived there. My own thoughts and memories ebbed and flowed whilst reading through your post and absorbing the delightful photographs. There is no doubt that this pandemic has had a ripple effect around the world. Goosebumps rise at the news of a Covid-related death so near to you – the circle is closing – adding to the tragedies that have already befallen you. From your description now (the previous one was dramatic – and rightly so) reflecting on the damage from the hailstorm is perhaps more scary in the aftermath; you contrast that beautifully with such calming pond scenes. You are a marvel.
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November 27, 2020 at 8:33 pm
I have not heard of the City Hall being referred to as the fruit cake before! Damage to the roof caused by the hail is estimated to cost R75 million to fix – but apparently the City Hall has been due for refurbishment for some time.
The pandemic is so awful and it is concerning that SA cases are starting to rise again, and very rapidly in some regions.
Thank you for your kind thoughts. Keep well and take care.
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November 27, 2020 at 3:54 am
So sorry to hear about your friend’s passing. It seems like it’s one thing after another for you right now. I hope this changes soon.
Lovely photos of your pond and its surrounds. The frog and dragonfly in particularly are wonderful. I hope the pond and garden recover quickly. Always liked that Stones’ song (though not necessarily that version!).
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November 27, 2020 at 8:23 pm
Thank you for your kind sympathy Graham.
I confess I quite like that version of the song. It is the version in the Scorsese movie, ‘Shine a Light’ featuring the Stones playing live in New York in 2006. In fact some years back Mike gave us a CD of the songs from the soundtrack.
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November 28, 2020 at 5:02 am
I tried watching that movie, but it just didn’t work for me. For me, the most amazing thing about the Stones these days is that Keith Richards is still alive. Some kind of miracle!
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November 28, 2020 at 9:52 am
Absolutely – it is miraculous. He is strangely quaint given his reputation. Have you read his autobiography ‘Life’?
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November 28, 2020 at 11:52 pm
I haven’t. I think he’s a great musician and has led a very interesting life, but I’m not sure I’m interested enough in him to read all about it. Did you like it?
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November 27, 2020 at 3:08 am
Water is always so soothing, a gentle balm to the soul. Light, reflections and patterns mesmerize me and of course the natural life it supports. Beautiful post, thank you Carol! xxx
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November 27, 2020 at 8:18 pm
Thank you very much Christeen. It is true that water can be very soothing.
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November 27, 2020 at 2:53 am
Oh dear, Carol.
Sitting next to the pond really is a great way to reflect on life’s trials and tribulations, but also all we have to be thankful for – usually small things that bring enormous satisfaction in an otherwise material, cut-throat world.
Our condolences too to Mike’s family and friends.
I hope the municipality was adequately insured so that it isn’t left to the rate payers to foot that enormous repair bill.
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November 27, 2020 at 8:14 pm
Thanks very much Dries for your condolences. What you say is so true – I think that in the end it turns out that seemingly small things turn out to be the important things and often the big-deal things turn out to be the unimportant things.
It is not clear how the municipality arrived at such big numbers. Our municipal infrastructure was not good even before the storm, and it is not clear how the damages will be assessed by the insurance people.
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November 26, 2020 at 11:20 pm
You’ve had more than your share of tragedies this month, Carol. So many losses weigh heavily upon our hearts.
At least, time spent in nature buoys us up… the patterns explored in this post are wonderful, your photos have captured the details so well. That little patterned frog is esp. delightful.
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November 27, 2020 at 8:08 pm
Thank you very much Eliza. The little tree frog is lovely and I very seldom see them.
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