Yesterday at the pond

Cold this morning, but perfect afternoon

This must be how a plant system matures. I've noticed that every year (from the beginning), the pond has appeared more uniformly lush, but never understood that our efforts were the cause until I started watching it come to life under Cashmere's care. I have a new view from my back door.

The bird in the last picture is a Bullock's oriole. Today he took over the salvia plant at the southeast corner of the pond, but he spent most of his time fighting off the hummingbirds.

Cashmere's work

The pond is alive with activity

Bill has been making it more kid friendly.

Very nice sunset colors

Perfect weather

Cashmere and Josh grilled outside today and we ate in the breezeway in mid-afternoon when it was shady and the day is the most pleasant. Great food and what a nice time.
It's interesting that I enjoy the place more now that I'm not so attached. I have loved the pond from the beginning (8 years in July) but I have rarely enjoyed it. I was engaged in a nurturing project rather than pursuing direct entertainment, and it was mostly solitary. Although I did have a fantasy of some day drinking coffee there in the mornings before going to work, I never once did that. Not for any sad reason (like I ran out of coffee) but because it's like raising a baby and there was always something else that needed to be done. I couldn't stop to enjoy anything right then.
Anyway, the pond is mature enough to stand on it's own now, and I've not only stopped annoying them, I've stopped feeling obligated to do so. They're not only maintaining it well, they have actually integrated that nice space into their lifestyle.

I've come a long way from bickering with Mr. Bill over how to decorate and maintain the big aquarium in his back yard.

Danger In The Trees

The Cats Sweetie Kittie and Meowzer sit up in the Mesquite Trees where the hummingbird feeder is stalking the little hummingbirds. One little bird will distract the cats while the other 3 have a drink. They seem to take turns and work with eachother when the cats are around. When the cats are not there the team falls apart. The hummers fight with eachother over the feeder. They could definately get more eating done if they would use teamwork all the time. I never noticed that hummingbirds were such mean little things.

Interesting winds today

Today is the first time in a while that I sat at the pond and watched it unfold. The serenity was almost disturbing.

Hummingbird

Not the best pictures in the world but I caught a female hummingbird at the feeder today.

Pleasant day

I forgot to change the camera setting so these are distorted but they are all I took of the pond this evening.

Or maybe I didn't forget. These aren't so bad, especially the moon picture - my best one yet.

Interesting clouds moving in

She and her mom work on the pond every morning

We rested in the shade and ate candy eggs while her mom watered the yard

Nice colors today