More Snow, Still Cold

The ice is thicker today and I can now see that it wasn't a complete sheet yesterday. Nothing is moving and not even any tracks in the snow.

Deeper Freeze

There is a thin sheet of ice over the entire surface of the pond today. I don't remember that happening before. It's still below 30 degrees and nothing is moving around the pond, not even the little unidentified grey birds that usually rummage around the reeds even on the coldest days. The water is lower than I'm comfortable with but I can't use the improvised (until I fix the waterfall) flow-line until we get above freezing.

The gophers are back, but I have 1/2 bottle of the mint oil left. I'll saturate a rag with it and stuff it in his house. It's strange, but for whatever reason that's the only thing that will cause him to leave. Everything else just makes him mad.

Cold and Colder

These pictures are from the weekend since I haven't been outside yet today.

Frozen stuff around the Pond

A Pond-Free Day

or, I Didn't Invade Their Property. Mr. Bill was 64 today and my gift to him was, I didn't bother him or mill around in his back yard.

A Few Days Later

Have been around the pond every day but just to keep it clean. At this time of year it's like a magnet for tumbleweeds and Camron occasionally tosses in some type of wrapper. Today I found a wrapper from his new gun and the paper plate from yesterday's snack. I would never bother him about it, which is why, I guess, it seems like an endless chore. The water is turning darker now and it seems that decaying leaves might be the main cause. Still beautiful.

Another Perfect Day

72 degrees and no wind. I filled the pond and just sort of ambled around it with Camron. He was carrying his recently rediscovered old robot, "sparky", and is showing him the scenery. I don't have to participate in that part, but in person, it doesn't even sound odd. "And here is the branch where I sit and watch the fish Sparky." I still have to find the energy to finish the waterfall, soon.

Quitely Wasted Day

Cold with very strong winds for most of the night and until sunset today. I hardly went outside and only approached the pond at the end of the day. The bittern had just landed so I didn't go closer.

Cold and Clear

A front is moving through right now but is mainly just keeping temperatures down. A much stronger system should be here by the weekend and although much of the North part of the state is still icebound, they could get more snow and ice by then. Probably not so much here.

Tuesday News

New Year's Day Pond

Actually sort of nice. This is the first time the cat has stood his ground when I walked up. I don't care for what cats become (hundreds of cats) but won't bother him if he just comes for water and leaves.