Maybe you could put a large rock, a birdbath, or maybe a plastic pot turned upside down in the center? Maybe a log, or a piece of wood that would float would work. Let us know what you decide to do, and send more pictures!

Hi Mary,
The rocks are so heavy, I'm worried about stressing the stock tank seams but a plastic or resin bird bath might be good. I also have a big plastic pot that I could raise up if I can scavenge another milk crate from my husband (he stores the videos in them). Hmmm...
And I was thinking of getting one of those floating planters next year for this purpose. I wondered if a couple big, fat doves would cause it to swamp over, though.

Thanks for the invitation to send more pictures, too. My garden is so puny compared to most here, I'm embarrassed at the same time I'm enormously proud!
Vanessa

You should be proud! It's very pretty!

We put a milk crate in the middle of our pond for a hiding place for the fish from predators. We put a pogota on top, but you could put a piece of flagstone on top to put plants on or a birdie rest. Nancy

WoooooHoooo! Way to go Vanessa! Looking good, as you say, next year it'll be overgrown - no doubt you'll need another :)

As for the birds, I've never had floating planters, but I think that could work. You could try just a styrofoam circle (like you make wreaths with) first, just float it with an anchor on a string. My other suggestion would be a plant stand. WMart sells plastic coated metal ones cheap. Depending on the height of it you could just let the rim sit above water, or you could set a flat rock on it. It you're still worried about weight, stick a brick under each leg, you'll be disbuting the weight over more area.

Nice lily too!

Thanks folks!
The cattail is sitting on a milk crate with a flagstone on it. Fishies love it as do the damselflies (where DID they come from?) but not the birds. It's still too low so I need something taller like Nancy's.
I think I'm going to look for a plant stand for now - thanks, Sheepco! - I didn't know they came plastic coated. Still like the birdbath idea, too. And the floating planters.

Uh oh. I feel another pond coming on.

Ponds are addictive. Yours looks very nice.

I've had the same problem. And I surely wouldn't want anyone drowning because the water is too hard to get to and out of.

I ended up putting a plant (in a container) on a milk crate. The milk crates are nice because fish can hide in them. What I think is perfect is if you can put a crate, and then a potted plant, so that the top of the pot/soil of the plant is just a tad above water level. That way, they can land on the plant's soil and lean over to get a sip of water. Don't put it too close to the edge though.
Actually, though, I've seen birds all summer landing on the aerials of my lotus and climbing down and just drinking water that way. So maybe just growing some reeds, etc. might be enough.
At the bird store, I've seen big arched rot iron things that you could clamp onto the side of your stocktank, and then hang a birdbath saucer from that. I'm glad you're trying to keep the birdies safe from your cats. And I really like your benches!! How much fun to just sit there and enjoy your pond!

You know, this pond forum is addictive, too. None of the other forums I've visited are anywhere near as active. I spend way too much time making sure I don't miss ANYTHING, no matter how irrelevant it might seem right now.

Catherine, or anyone, I like the idea of having some plants that weren't completely underwater but all the ones I've really looked at say they like to be 1-6 inches under the surface. Any recommendations for something sitting just above the surface that's maybe a bit sturdy for the birds to clamber about on? Not tropicals since our nights are quite chilly. Oh, and the tiny Lesser Goldfinches figured out they could land on the lily pads. That was so cute!

And thanks for remarking on the benches. They are wonderful and good thing too. Those slabs were so heavy, they will never be moved!

Vanessa

How about some pickeril rush or cattails?