A Proud Toad Daddy ~ With Pictures!!!

On Thursday when Ginger told me she was going to water the pot trellis I jumped up, grabbed my camera and assumed the position assigned me the previous day.  With the zoom already set and tested on a flower I was ready for the little guy to jump right out there like he did on Wednesday.

Ginger started to water.  I watched.  Ginger watered.  I watched and waited.  Ginger watered.  I watched, waited and fiddled with the camera.  Ginger watered.  I gave it up.  No toad sighting this Thursday.

Friday.  Once again I assumed the assigned position for toad watching.  This time the little guy jumped right out from under some plants.  I was armed with my trusty digital camera.  As soon as I attempted to take the first picture the little guy jumped and was gone.  I was left with a rather nice picture of a flower but no baby toad pictures.

I risked the wrath of the position gods and moved closer.  I reached out and moved a plant to peer around it's base.  There he was... but I was too close to take his picture.  I handed the camera to Ginger and asked her to give it a try.  She didn't have her glasses on.

Ginger handed the camera back to me and reached toward the plant to hold it back so I could move away and take the picture.  As soon as I moved our baby once again jumped and was gone.

Humph.  I stepped back and Ginger grabbed the hose and started to water again.  Immediately she saw movement and pointed.  TARGET IDENTIFIED!

I took a picture.  I took a few more.  The toad moved.  I saw where it went.  I took more pictures.  So here are the best two pictures.  If you like you can click on the pictures to see the full sized version.

It's hard to discern this little guys actual size from these images.  At the most he is 1 1/4 inches long.  If I had to buy it a suit I would get something smaller than a Tinker Bell size.

If you look closely at the left picture you can see a dark tube just above and to the right of the baby toad.  This is a 1/4 inch driper hose... maybe that will help with the perspective.

This ex-toadlet is doing just fine in the feeding department and looks very healthy.  I imagine it will spend the winter in/near the pot trellis area.  Maybe even sing'n a tune next spring

I Spied a Baby Toad

It seems like everyone has seen one of the baby toads. Everyone but me that is. On Wednesday about 4 PM that officially changed.

On Tuesday Ginger was watering and rousted a baby toad from it's niche under the pot trellis (remember the yellow pot trellis?). So on Wednesday when she went out to water, she instructed me to follow her and told me where to stand and proceeded to water.

Sure enough after just a few sprinkles this little green toad hops out from under these plants and is sitting on some ground cover. It was small but had not residual tail. I would estimate it's length at about 1 1/4 inches from head to rump. Just a little miniature toad.

I even had my camera with me. I am sorry to report that I was only able to get three shots of the toad before it disappeared into the plants. The pictures were blurry to the point that you wouldn't know it was a toad or a green rock.

The next time Ginger waters I will assume my toad observation post and try again.

Stay tuned 'O loyal followers....

Feed me!! Cheep - Cheep

I have 3 birdhouses along the back fence.  I've mentioned them a few times but pretty much they are just there.  On Tuesday morning I was in the yard when I hear the sound of baby birds vie for the attention of the mommy bird.  This must be the third or fourth batch of birds hatched this season in this one birdhouse.  From the looks of the mother she might have been born in the first batch as she looked hardly mature enough to have hatched eggs.

As I watched the mother approach the birdhouse I noted she was carrying a green insect of some type in her  mouth.  Ever so cautious she alit on the branch of a nearby tree.  Looked around and up and down and then looked some more.  After about a minute she moved to the fence below the birdhouse and again she looks around.  Ever so cautious.  Then she moves along the fence to another spot and looks some more.  Geez, that bug is going to dry out and turn to dust before she feeds her babies.  Finally after about 4 or 5 minutes from when I saw her in the tree she flew up to the nest, landing on the perch that sticks out below the entrance hole.

Once again she is looking around with the bug securely in her beak.  Now the little baby birdies can see her and are going crazy with their cheeping and, maybe, the first inkling of a chirp every now and then. 

To my surprise, she starts feeding the insect to the babies via the air-vent above the entrance hole.  I could make out the mouths and eye circles of a couple of babies.  Mama finally released the insect and the babies disappeared to fight over the delicacy.  Mom was off in search of more food... I wonder where Daddy bird was hang'n.

Baby birds are cool to have in your yard.

A New Pond Plant Container

With Joe still missing and the loss of so many of the toadpoles, things are a bit slow out back.  We are, however, still smile'n about that crazy squirrel.  The hummers are still very active and drinking the sweet water like there was no tomorrow.

I was wondering around the yard and spotted a cinder block.  This thing was left over from the initial pond construction days.  Just what does one do with extra cinder blocks? 

I decided I would make a plant container for the pond.  It turns out the cinder blocks are great for this as they aren't prone to break or melt and definitely don't float away.

  I got some landscape fabric and cut a couple of pieces to fit the bottom of the block.  This covered the holes and would hold the dirt in while also letting water in.  I glued the fabric to the block and broke out the paint.

Today I installed what used to be a cinder block but is now a planter in the pond.  Of course it will be up to Ginger to plant something in the thing.

Like I said, things are slow around here.

A Lone Survivor?

 Ginger was watering plants Tuesday afternoon and noticed a very small toad trying to escape the stream of water.  It had been sitting on some ground cover.  She came and got me.  I grabbed my camera and headed out to the backyard but the little guy had disappeared.  I've looked a couple of times since then but so far haven't found him.  I want to document this LIVE one with a picture.

It seems to me that if one survived there is a good possibility that there are more. Ginger said it was pretty small so a whole plethora of 'em could easily be missed if your not looking at 'em.

While looking for the ex-toadpole I noticed an ant hauling a spider over the rocks.  Then there was the little black bug zooming in and out of the rocks.  I also saw a wasp like insect that was purple... kinda pretty.  It would appear there are things going on in the mini world that I don't notice very often. 

When I lived in Texas (1995 - 2004) we had a bunch of tropical creatures living around us.  One of my favorites was the little green Anole.  This little lizard reminded me of one of those little dogs that thinks it's a bull-mastiff or something.  They were pretty brave and would take on bugs that I thought were too big for them to eat.  One day I set a bucket next to the garden and just watched.  Pretty soon I noticed an Anole here and another there.  Actually there were a whole bunch of them but for some reason you have to sit and watch before they are visible.  They were eat'n insects left and right.  I couldn't believe the amount they ate.  I hope these toads are just as ravenous and successful in finding food.

Your probably not surprised the squirrel has not returned.  I'm not.  Also interesting is we haven't see the gang of hummers that were here on Monday.  Just passing through I guess.

Some good news on the toad front.  Woody's live!!!!

Humming Birds with Attitudes

Hummers, like dynamite, TNT and C-4 are explosive and come in small packages... all packages of this gender require respect and care or bad things happen.  The squirrel in our yard this afternoon obviously missed this part of the lesson when attending suburban squirrel etiquette class.

Here's the story... Outside our back door is a patio.  It's a pretty big slab of concrete and part of it is covered.  Under the covered part I have a wooden box about 5 feet long by 2.5 feet wide and about 4 feet high.  Also in the covered part we have a hummer feeder hanging from the eves.

This squirrel comes running toward the wood box and skids to a stop just before crashing into it.  Hot on it's heels is a hummer.  The hummer is darting in and out... obviously pissed at the squirrel.  The squirrel is backed against the box and finally crawls under the box.  The hummer continues to dart around looking for the squirrel.  After a short time the hummer abandons the search and moves on.

The squirrel, apparently feeling brave, jumps on top of the box and is looking around.  The hummer spied him and zooms in, pressing the attack.  The squirrel is intimidated by the little hummer and again seeks refuge under the box.  The hummer takes a graceful exit moments later.

Enter this 'ol phart.  I don't want that squirrel around my storage box as that's where I store my birdseed.  Squirrels like birdseed.  I had visions of the squirrel chewing it's way into the box and doing what squirrels do when in a box full of birdseed.

So I decided I wanted to scare the squirrel away.  It says in the latest book about scaring squirrels away that you have to be careful that they don't bite your toe when they panic because you scare the bejesus out of them.  So armed with a rake and my normal amount of testosterone I approached the box.  Heart beat about 140.  Perspiration abundant.  I'm wearing clean underwear just in case we have to call 911.  I approach the box.

Would you believe that little hummer is still guarding the box!  No, the hummer didn't attack me but it was hang'n around. 

I pounded on the box in hopes of scaring the squirrel out the back side.  No movement.  So I moved to the open side and slid the box out from the wall.  After I moved it about a foot the squirrel made a run for it. 

I remember the first time my dog got zapped by an electric fence.  This was many years ago.  When that happened the poor creature cried out and jumped at the same time.  When he landed his legs were already churning and his tail was tucked between his hind legs so far it was pointing in the direction of flight.

That's kinda how it was with this squirrel only the tail wouldn't point in the direction of flight.  But the little guy was move'n out.  The squirrel ran toward the pond, didn't take the bridge and didn't slow down when it got to the water.  A mighty leap toward the other side.  A splash.  It didn't make it.  A short, frantic swim.  It was out.  It's tail no longer fluffy, just wet and clingy.  The last I saw of the scared squirrel was it haul'n his little behind in a northerly direction.

Wow!  That was funny and I didn't even lose any blood in the encounter.

Algae Lives for July and August

The summer heat is upon us like it was July or August.  I remember one 110 degree plus day in Las Vegas when I was riding with my nephew in his beat-up 'ol station wagon.  His AC didn't work... in fact there were a lot of things in that car that didn't work.  Anyway, it was hot and there was no AC and I said to my nephew, "How can you stand driving around in this heat without AC?"  His reply, "Uncle Jimmy, it can only get so hot and then that's all it is... just hot.  It doesn't make any difference if it's 105 or 115 it's just HOT.  So I don't worry about it." 

So I guess it's just HOT here in river city.  I worried about it a few years but nothing changed so I don't worry about it.  That's how it is around her in July and August.

The heat and sun (they do go together don't they) have warmed the pond to the point were the algae has turned the water a dark color.  In addition, the string algae is growing like weeds.  We see this every year for about 6 or 8 weeks,some years worse than others, and then it starts to cool and the days get a bit shorter.  Then the water starts to clear until next July/August.

I guess the water isn't good enough to keep the Woody's around.  I reported they were here 3 nights in a row and then appeared to have left.  I was wrong.  They were back a couple of times but didn't stay long.  I would hear them sing a short song and then all was quiet.

I had hopes for another batch of toadlets but I realize that is probably not going to happen.  It's just too late in the year to start a toad family.  So I'll hold out for the off chance that Joe will bless us with an August return.

In the meantime I'm taking it slow and venturing out only when the temperature is below about 95... unless my wife makes me go outside for something.

We're UP ~ We're Down ~ Woody's Gone

The Woody's were here long enough to give me hope and get me out of the funk of losing all the toadlet's.  They stayed around for 3 nights.  There were at least two of them sing'n their tunes but we never saw them.  The pond has been silent the last couple of nights so I think they have moved on.  It is late in the season to be making toadpoles.

Still no sign of Joe.  To alleviate some of the sudden withdrawal from seeing Joe every day, on Wednesday,  Ginger and I, lead by our Granddaughter, headed out to the Botanical Gardens.  They have a really nice pond with lots of fish, lilly pads, anacharis grass and bull frogs.  They even have a turtle.  The turtle was pretty shy and took a dive when we arrived and never exposed itself enough for us to identify it.

The bullfrogs were different looking than Joe.  Joe was darker and the pattern on Joe's skin was not as pronounced as the frogs we observed on Wednesday.  They were of good size but not as big as Joe.  I first thought they might be green frogs but I'm now pretty sure they were bullfrogs.  I regret I didn't take my camera.  I did consider grab'n one and bringing it home with me but fought that urge.  Didn't want to go to jail for frog-napping.

In Joe's absence the birds are having a grand time playing in the waterfalls and hang'n next to the water.  The daytime temperatures are nearing 100 now and I think the birds like the refreshment of taking a quick bath.

The Humming Birds have been visiting the sweet water more often.  In years past that usually happens when they prepare to migrate south for the winter.  We have also noted that some of our plants are getting tinges of fall colors.  All this is too early we think so have to assume it will be an early winter.  It certainly has been a wet spring and summer.

That's what's going on in pondville.  Nothing exciting... sometimes things just go like that.

Fake Rock ~ Moving Along

I know all you Frog Blog Readers are on pins and needles waiting to hear the latest on the Fake Rock Camouflage Exercise. Here is the latest.

Saturday morning I mixed more mortar and started slapping it to the lathe. You know, the more I do this the easier it gets. There is a knack to putting down the mortar.  It seems you "throw" the "mud" versus placing it and it goes along much easier.

Anyway, I put down the mortar, pressed more rocks into it and then the small gravel into that and stepped away from the platform.

I still have to hide the edges of the platform. Then find some appropriate rocks to place around the platform to, hopefully, blend in with the fake rock. Once complete it will only appear to be a fake rock if you look at it.

Can anyone define a "chunkini?"

Did You Hear That?

I'm excited! Last night about 10 I was shutting down the 'ol 'puter when I heard the call of the Woodhouse's Toad. I couldn't believe my ears. I had to open the window and wait for another call just to confirm. Yessiree, that was a Woody.

Maybe... just maybe they will get together and create Batch IV. No guarantees of course but at least half of the equation was calling out last night.

So this morning I gathered my string algae rake and cleaned the pond as best I could. Not taking a chance on using algae eradication chemicals. I'll rely on the old fashioned methods until we know if the Woody's are here to procreate.

Yesterday we also had what my grandfather would have called a "Toad Strangler" rain. The picture is of the detention area next to my house and the road beyond. The water is muddy because they are developing a new neighborhood up the hill from my place.

As you can see it was coming down pretty good. Then about 4 hours later I heard the Woody. Do you think the rain chased it out of it's home? I don't hear them in the detention area at night.

What ever the reason the Woodhouse's Toad was sing'n it's song last night. You can bet I'll be listening tonight.

There is hope!

Fake Rock - Slow Progress

I guess this rock thing isn't that high on my priority list. Just because I have to kneel on my knees, work one handed, sweat streaming into my eyes and those damned gnats crawling on my face and in ears. Drives me crazy!

I did, however, get started with the mortar. I mixed some up Friday morning and started to apply it to the lathe. Squish it into the lathe, build up the thickness of the mortar, lay rocks on top and squish them in to the mortar. Then, in an effort to be thorough I add some small gravel. Small being about a quarter inch.  My hope is to cover the areas between the rocks.

I haven't finished with the mortar and rocks. I only did about half and then quit because I ran out of mortar (mixed mortar that is) and was sweat'n like I had been working.

It looks good now but the test will be when I tilt the base up so I can access the mechanics.  That's when my work demonstrated it's flaws last time around.  If you recall, most of the mortar and rock slid onto the ground.

Saturday will be a new day and I hope to finish this portion of the project.

Fake Rock ~ No Progress

On Wednesday before discovering the demise of all the toadlets I reattached the particle board with fake rock and lathe to it's designated position. Not earth shaking news.

I had planned to mix-up some mortar and get that going but was interrupted by being called to take the granddaughter to her tennis lesson. That was interesting as this was her last lesson and my first time to see the goings on. They had a good time especially when they substituted water balloons for tennis balls.

By the time we got home it was too hot to work on the fake rock so I gave that up until Thursday. Heck, why do today what you can put off till tomorrow?

So Thursday came. I didn't do anything with the pond or fake rock. I think I'm a little down because of the toadlet fiasco. Guess I'll go drown my sorrows in diet Pepsi... it must be Pepsi time somewhere.

The weather is HOT now and if I don't get going early enough in the morning I'm just not going to get going. When it's this hot I don't do much after about 10 or 10:30.

Maybe tomorrow I'll get going on the fake rock. One smart SOB once said: "Why do today what you can put off till tomorrow!"

The Toadlet Season is Over!

All the toadlets in the pond are dead!

On Monday afternoon I noticed that I didn't see any toadlets, toadpoles, polliwogs... none of the batch II or III Woodhouse's Toads hatchling.  As noted in my July 2nd post I haven't see any batch I toadlets either.

On Wednesday afternoon my granddaughter and I started searching in earnest for any toadlet.  We found one laying on some string algae.  Confirmed it was a toadlet and was dead by netting the poor creature.

We then moved our search to the skimmer pond.  Just a few days ago there were many hundreds of the little guys scarfing the algae from the walls of the pond.  I took the net and started to stir the water in the pond.  Soon a few little toadlet bodies were brought to the surface by the current.  I netted a dozen or so.  All dead.

Later my granddaughter saw a couple of the batch I toadlets in the Bio-falls.  These were also dead.  I took one out to get a picture. 

The batch I guys were pretty big.  I would estimate a little over 1 inch in length.  As you can see in the pictures their legs (gams) were quite developed.  I was surprised their tails were still so long. 

We only found 4 of the batch I toadlets so I would like to think these might be late bloomers, so to speak, and their sibling have actually moved out of the pond. 

Besides the dead toadlets we also noted a number of dead snails.

We don't know what caused this pond catastrophe.  In our discussions we talked about the possibility of the pond oxygen being depleted but we don't know what would cause that to happen.  Possibly something to do with water temperature and algae?  We just don't know.

We have considered that possibly something from all the fireworks on the 4th may have settled into the pond.  We don't think that likely but I suppose possible.

We have also thought about someone maybe spraying a tree, bushes or weeds and the poison getting into the pond.  This seems more likely to me. 

We don't know if this somehow ties in with Joe's disappearance.  There is a whole lot we don't know.  But Joe has been gone for a long time and these toadlets died just a couple of days ago.

Answers to this mystery I don't expect to find.

With feelings of melancholy we close the story on this years toadlets.

Fake Rock ~ Round 2

On Tuesday I removed the particle board base for the fake rock... or is it faux rock?.... I removed the fake rock from the particle board. In fact, I trashed the particle board because I got mad at it.

So I had to cut a new base for the fake rock. Any guesses on what the new base is made of... yep, you guessed it, particle board. Lets just say we're starting off with a clean slate... so to speak.

I drilled holes for the hinge attachment using the old board as a template.  I covered the board with wire lathe which is a metal mesh held onto the base (particle board) with a gazillion screws.  The lathe will hold the mortar.  On top of the lathe I secured the fake rock. 

That's all I did Tuesday. 

More work to do on Wednesday with mortar and rock and screws then I will update this fascinating blog so y'all can just follow along with me.

I just can't believe how exciting this is... can you feel it?

I Ain't Sing'n No Swan Song For Joe... Yet

My daughter, Janine, asked me about importing turtles to my pond.  A fortuitous question as I had looked into just that possibility this past weekend.  I like turtles.  I would like to have them in my pond. 

Years ago, way back in about 1970 I lived in San Jose, California.  In our backyard we had a bunch of ivy growing around the edge of the yard and then a small amount of grass.  The whole thing was maybe 20' X 20'.  One day a small Red Eared Slider showed up in our backyard.  It was small and seemed happy there so we fed it here and there but mostly left it alone.  In the late fall it disappeared and was back in the spring.  The little guy grew rapidly and over the course of a couple of seasons it had more than doubled in size.  Not a lot of bother but fun to have around.  When we moved from there to Colorado he stayed with the back yard.

So I was considering getting one or two of these critters and introducing them to the pond.  I started reading about them.  The only negative thing I found about owning a Red Eared Slider is they tend to wander.  If you don't have a fence to keep them in you can expect them to leave. 

They also need water and they need to be able to get out of the water.  They enjoy basking in the sun.  In the winter they hibernate and will bury themselves in dirt at the bottom of the pond.  In fact, if you don't have dirt you should provide it, possibly by putting clay kitty litter and sand in a plastic tub and submerging it in your pond.  Kinda like a bed.  Goodnight John Boy.  Goodnight Mary Ellen.

They, like bull frogs, breath through their skin during the winter hibernation.  Once the water temperature gets into the middle to low 50's they should not be fed and will start slowing down until they start hibernating.

All this is well and good and I would actually get a few except for the wandering business.  I have no interest in putting up short fencing around my pond.  The pond is too big.  It would look crappy.  It isn't going to happen.

So I was thinking about Joe and the similarities between her and turtles.  Then I remembered that last year, in fact it's less than a year, it was August actually, when Joe showed up in the pond.  Yep, go look at the first blog post, August 14, 2008.  With this in mind and my optimistic outlook, I'm going to keep the door open for Joe to return. 

I've mentioned the Swan Song a few times now so I'll tell you the short version of the story:
The phrase "swan song" is a reference to an ancient belief that the Mute Swan is completely mute during its lifetime until the moment just before it dies, when it sings one beautiful song.

The well-known Orlando Gibbons-Madrigal (The Silver Swan) states the legend thus:

The silver Swan, who living had no Note,
when Death approached, unlocked her silent throat.
Leaning her breast against the reedy shore,
thus sang her first and last, and sang no more:
"Farewell, all joys! O Death, come close mine eyes!
"More Geese than Swans now live, more Fools than Wise."

Fake Rock Ahead 1 to 0

What could be so hard? I just want to cover the 3/4 inch particle board with some rocks. Rocks that will stay when the particle board is tipped 90 degrees

Since the fake rock comes with holes to screw/nail/stake through it was pretty much a no brainer to attach it to the particle board. Attaching the rocks is another matter.

My first try and so far my only try was to mix up some thin-set mortar, slop that on, pile rocks on top and squish them into the mortar. I figured it was going to work pretty good as a bunch of the thin-set actually stuck to the plastic bucket I mixed it in so I though surely it would stick to the particle board. WRONG!

I allowed the thin-set to dry for 2 days and then lifted the cover. The thin-set and rock combination just slid off the board like it was Teflon. Maybe I should have used the yucky pucky as I originally planned.

Not to be undaunted I will go to the store and purchase some wire lathe. I'll attach that to the particle board and then apply thin-set or maybe just regular mortar, pile on the rocks and see what happens. I ain't scared!

For an exciting outing on the 4th of July Ginger and I stopped by the rock yard. It was closed but we walked around the place. We saw some huge granite boulders that would look wonderful in our yard but you would need a crane, a front loader and 6 burley guys to move something like that. But we did have a grand time just seeing the various rocks. Man oh man, it was a great day.

If anyone has and suggestions on camouflaging the fake rock please post them in the comments section.

Should We Sing the Swan Song for Joe?

Thursday last, about 10 AM, marked 1 week that Joe has been missing.  I've searched the ponds for submerged bodies... nothing.  I checked the skimmer... just some leaves and some alien looking insects.  I've walked the backyard from low to high... nothing.  I even laid down on the bridge, schooched myself over the edge so I could see under and saw nothing.  That could have been because when I got my head up-side-down my glasses fell off... had to fish them out of the pond.  No sign of our heroine.  I guess I might as well step up to the obvious.

I'm backing away from the supernatural.  Pushing back from the devil worshipers.  Embracing the tried and true ways of Mother Nature. 

Maybe the dead bird was really a piece of mulch blown against the fence.   The toadlets lifeless bodies floating toward the skimmer were probably casualties of the pump/pipe/waterfall ride.  The first batch of toadpoles probably did get their land legs and move on.  And Joe... well, Joe was so fat she couldn't hop more than a foot or so.  She was a glutton. She preyed on those cute little poop machines we call sparrows and finches which didn't endear her to many be they human animals or regular animals (I think that's the technical term). 

So Joe is gone.  Maybe she is dead.  Maybe a victim of a B-52 fly-by (still dead if this is the case).  Maybe called by Mother Nature to fulfill her calling and become a mother and, to that end, living with some rich bullfrog in the storm drain. We will never know.  We just know she is gone.  It was very interesting... very.

Who will now rise above normalcy?  What typical creature will become atypical?  Will another unique creature fill the void and become the next hero/heroine of my backyard?  Will we have to rename Joe's Pond and Joe's Station?

Hey, Mama N. bring 'em on!

4th of July

Happy 4th of July

Please remember why we celebrate the 4th of July.
Information about the United States Flag.

More Disappearances From the Pond

• Anomaly is defined as:  Deviation or departure from the normal or common order, form, or rule.
• Omen is defined as: A phenomenon supposed to portend good or evil; a prophetic sign.

I actually do have a friend.  Well, actually I have a number of friends.  The friend I'm writing about is who I call "Over the Hill Teri."  It isn't that she is superannuated, it's that she lives over the hill from me.  Anyway, Over the Hill Teri emailed me and asked when I was going to post some pictures of the toadlets gams.  I thought for a long time about some smarty-pants response.  At the end of this "long time" I gave it up and went in search of toadlets with gams.

The short story goes like this: Do you see a picture of toadlets with gams? 

The longer story is: I grabbed my camera and net and set about the hunt.  Remembering how easy they were to spook when I tried to catch one just 10 days ago I was careful to approach the pond so no shadows would darken their path.

I closed in on the pond via the Mulberry Tree.  Peeking around the edge of the tree, ignoring the mosquitoes that love my body, I searched for the dark shapes resting on rocks.  Hmmmm, just little toadlets from Batch II or III.  So with the utmost care I moved toward the skimmer pond.  Nothing but more of the Batch III or II guys.

I gave up on the stealth and just started looking for a good sized toadlet.

There are no Batch I toadlets in the pond!

Having been recently spooked just by rehashing old bejesus sucking movies like The Exorcist and Omen and considering the events leading to these revelations, I now add the disappearance of the Batch I toadlets!

So is this an Anomaly?  Is this an Omen?  Did you bring your dog inside to sleep in your bedroom last night?  I know, I know... you probably think these little creatures actually grew legs, developed lungs, and began their trek for a better life... a natural thing you might say. 

Maybe your right but it seems pretty odd to this 'Ol Blogger.  A disappearing dead bird.  Joe disappears.  Toadlets dead and on their way to the skimmer.  Now, not just one or two toadlets disappear... the whole batch is gone! 

 I'm sorry Over the Hill Teri.  I couldn't find any toadlets with gams.  I'll watch closely with Batch II/III to end the speculation about what is going on in my backyard be it Omen (the evil kind) or Anomaly or none of that nonsense.... unless whatever it is takes me too...

Did I tell you I was going to name my dog Whoohoo?  Of course...

Can You Find the Fake Rock?

The cloud of doom and melancholy continues to shade the frog-less pond.  Still no clues to Joe's current status.  Be she frolicking in a new pond with tastier birds or flattened on the highway we will never know.  My optimism is just about depleted.  I find myself looking every time I pass the window.... looking for Joe.  The effort is for naught.  But... maybe, just maybe, tomorrow she will find her way back home.  I haven't given up completely... yet.

Not missing Joe in the least are the birds.  They are bathing and fluttering in the waterfalls.  They love their new birdseed and have invited their friends and neighbors over for breakfast.  I've started spreading the seed around the yard.  I put some on different rocks and on the patio.  The birds don't disappoint and spread out to eat it all.  It's still a circus with high flying acts, clowns, gymnastic stunts and just good overall entertainment.

On a positive not there were not sightings of lifeless toadlets on their way to the skimmer or any deceased birds.  No rottweilers or little boys in suits either... whew.

In an effort to move along without Joe in my life I've taken on another pond project.  I've decided that I need to cover or camouflage some of the mechanical stuff by the skimmer.  The challenge here is I need access to this area but I don't want to see it.

To this end I decided to cover it with a plywood board and a fake rock.  Currently it's not very camouflaged me thinks.  On the other hand I have more to do.

I plan to paint the exposed plywood black.  Use some of the Yucky Pucky that I used to build the new waterfalls to attach some gravel to the plywood.  Then I'll add some rocks around the plywood base to breakup the outline.

I think that it will work out OK.

I've attached the plywood with a couple of hinges to a 6X6 pressure treated post.  It is secured to the ground with 3 foot re-bar.  It seems very secure and I don't think it is going to blow away.

It seems like it would be a good place to hide a stash of something.  I laugh because at my age I don't have a stash and I don't have anything that needs hiding.  Maybe when I win the lottery...