Mystery Picture

Do you have any idea of the picture subject? The answer is at the bottom.

On May 13th, the watershed survey was done. The results are at Kristin Feindell's office. Kristin works for the "State o' Maine" and she will analyze the results. The final results will be available this winter, but she promised us to get a preliminary page (that we can distribute) at the beginning of the summer.

I can tell you that we didn't have any huge problems. There are a number of non point phosphorus sources that could be addressed. These are mainly on the shorefront properties. It would help the pond if we could make our driveways so that they do not head straight downhill and they should have a crown or be slanted so that water flows into vegetation (not the pond). If we could make sure that trails and paths (to the water) are not eroded at all, it would help the pond. And if we could increase the vegetative buffers (that area of shorefront properties directly on the pond, which ideally is left undisturbed) are as wide as possible, it would decrease the phosphorus input into Quimby. Although I promised that I would not broadcast individual recommendations on the web, I can tell you that we need to address the boat access area, which is owned by the state. These areas are typically the worst for most ponds, because they head directly downhill and are oftentimes eroded by pushing boats into the pond.

The answer to the mystery picture is: It's a time lapse photograph of those small, white flies that swarm in the sunlight.

May Snow

Just a quick post today. The weather has turned cold again and it has been "spitting snow" (which I've learned means flurries) for about a day. It's too warm for the snow to really "stick", but we got a dusting last night. It's too late in the spring for this! The Watershed Survey
We have been busy preparing for the watershed survey, which will be done on Thursday, May 13th. We have had an amazing response from the questionnaire. According to other associations, there is an average of about 15 percent return of the written survey. Ours is over 70%. We have had an a low number of owners, who don't want us on their property. Only one has given a definite NO (but I had a broaden definition of the watershed and that owner is likely outside of the watershed). And one owner wanted to be home, when the watershed survey was done. This is so low that it is "unheard of".
I am so pleased with the response and my neighbors. You all are wonderful. As I've said before, "I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!"

For those of you with homes here, expect to find a little plastic bag on your doorknob with instructions on its use. It contains a small bottle of septic dye and its use is voluntary.

My hopes for Thursday are:
1. We find a few sources of non point phosphorus (run off) to correct (to help the pond) and none of these are expensive to fix.
2. The owners, who are here, don't object to the team.

Wish us luck.