Friday, July 29, 2005

Red Koi in The Pond

Next to the main U.S. Department of Interior building is a koi pond. Well not exactly a koi pond, more like a wildlife pond with turtles, dragonflies, ducks, and of course koi. It sits with in view of Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C. ( http://www.doi.gov/ )

I saw the turtles sunning themselves among the boxes of marsh reeds. Walking closer, I saw a school of small red koi with two large black ones. They looked like a drill team swimming in unison around the boxes and turtles. Sometimes, they would encounter a large koi, and change direction. No stragglers or confusion. Just turn about face and swim!

I understand why people enjoy koi ponds. It is peaceful to watch them swim with their tail fins floating in the water. Their colors lend brightness to the murky water.

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Koi are members of the carp family. More info and pictures can be found at : http://www.vcnet.com/koi_net/

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