Monday, August 02, 2004


selection  Posted by Hello

rounded Posted by Hello

The center portion Posted by Hello

I like these steps but they aren't placed conveniently Posted by Hello

SE corner looking West Posted by Hello

NE corner of pond Posted by Hello

View from SE corner Posted by Hello

NE corner of pond Posted by Hello

Looking old, quickly Posted by Hello

East view Posted by Hello

NE view Posted by Hello

My favorite rocks Posted by Hello

Waterfall and my favorite rocks Posted by Hello

NW side of pond Posted by Hello

NW side of pond Posted by Hello

West side closeup Posted by Hello

West side of pond Posted by Hello

SW side of pond Posted by Hello

Today's Animals

My wildlife photos don't seem to improve with experience. The dragonfly's never stop for very long, and are too fast otherwise. They do look good in person though. The baby catfish are also very neat in person but appear as smudges in these photos.

Dragonfly (blue instead of purple) Posted by Hello

Dragonfly Posted by Hello

Barely visible baby catfish Posted by Hello

1" long baby catfish Posted by Hello

The Big Birdhouse

Besides all of the rain we have had this year, we keep this area very wet by irrigating with the pond, and generally this would lead to an increase in mosquitoes. Throughout the town there seem to be a lot of them (the city park and in most other yards) but we have very few to none. All summer I have realized that there are a lot of birds around the pond but if I had been asked a number, I would have maybe said fifty. Friday evening I was sitting in the yard just as the sun was setting and noticed groups of birds entering the large tree shown below. In the first minute more than fifty landed (none left). After about 15 minutes, hundreds of birds had settled in the tree. After 30 minutes there were probably more than a thousand. The sun was setting right behind the tree and as I watched, the movements of the birds were almost like lights blinking and it was incredible how many there were. Mosquitoes couldn't possibly exist in this setting.

I've mentioned this before, but another interesting aspect is how the little birds protect their resource base. For example, for the past several years a large flock (50+) of turkey buzzards has lived in this area and they occasionally roost in trees in or near the town. The other day they were trying to use the trees near the pond and the small birds attacked all that landed and chased them off of the property.

1st floor? of birdhouse (pond in background) Posted by Hello

2nd floor? of birdhouse Posted by Hello

End of the Day Posted by Hello
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