THE THREE MONTH POND by Kathy Martin, Dept. of BioTogy, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario

Temporary ponds form anywhere the water does not drain away quickTy or compTeteTy. ShaTTow depressions in pastures, cuitivated fieids or woodTands fi11_with water every year during spring thaw. The IsTand is dotted with these ponds, aTT highTy variabie in size, situation and Tongevity. For awhiTe they sparkTe in the sunshine, and are repienished by spring showers and Tate snow storms. By eariy summer they are gone. Few humans give these ponds a second thought, except maybe the smaTT chde who regrets Tosing the opportunity to stomp through them in rubber boots or the farmer who undoubtedTy breathes a sigh of reTief when at Tast_he can cultivate_that pieqe of Tand.

’\ I _ . . ‘ -. ’ .. ' - - . v; . r" 5.: . ‘ . ‘7

0;! .r : “V I“?! fit. ' ¢‘\\‘§t':b" "t. .I ' . )‘g '31.- 1 I A

",./;;%pw. 4' ~23! ' ’7/1{r~(/