What lives in or near your Pond (volume 2)

I've been keeping an eye on this thread and enjoying it but haven't had time this year for picture-taking. Here's one of my favorites from a few years back.

Thanks GeorgiaJo, I didn't have anything very interesting to start us off with. I love your picture. LOL
All pictures are welcome they don't have to be recent.

haha nice picture.

I FOUND A FROG IN MY BACKYARD TONIGHT!! Yes, I was yelling. First frog I have seen in about 18 years around here. I caught about 100 itty bitty frogs last year and let them go in the yard.. never saw another one until tonight. He startled me when I was watering plants in the dark. He looked fat and happy and a LOT larger than I would have expected for just 1 year old. NO picture.. lost him in the dark. Will keep my eyes open for him in the future.... there is life out here!

Tammie

HaHa! I've a couple of frogs,live ones, with the same attitude GeorgiaJo☺Great pic!

Woohoo, Lhasa! I love it when nature chooses US!

Just a couple of shots of something soft and furry for a change.

These little guys are just all over the place. They are cute but a could use a few less.

That's a cute little guy!

We have a nightly chorus of chorus frogs, but I rarely see them - only hear them. Sometimes when I'm cleaning out the skimmer basket there will be a stowaway in there, but they don't like to show their faces during the day.

This photo is of a birdhouse I put up at the end of the pond three years ago, and I was beginning to wonder if it was in a bad neighborhood since no birdies moved in. Then, just last month we watched some chickadees going inside. Now they are in the food delivery mode, so there must be babies. Hopefully when they fledge they won't go for a swim!

Here's the waterfront view of the birdy estate...

OH Lhasa, I wanted to say congrats on the frog. Bet you were really excited.
Galega, Nice bird shot. Cute house I like the perch, what bird wouldn't like that?
Might as well throw in a picture of the "wildlife" hanging out at the chlorinated pond. It's getting quite a bit of action lately.

Beautiful pond.

I love that bird house, galega! It has so much character packed into a small package. Your pond looks lovely.

The "chlorinated pond" wildlife you have is certainly happy in it's natural surroundings. We have that species at my house too. Voracious eaters they are!

I found the birdhouse at one of those garden shows and about ruined my car trying to get it in the back with the post that was attached...priorities, you know. Who cares about the car when you find something old rusty and cute for the yard, right?

Only koi live out at the farm =p

Yes they are voracious eaters, return every summer and are multiplying. LOL
Here is one of my birdhouses. Ric built it and I painted it. It's due for a new paint job. Mine aren't quite waterfront, but I like that idea.

Very nice critters, ponds, and birdhouses everyone! I’ve been releasing little froglets into the garden every few days…the tadpoles are in a 10 gal. aquarium. Here is the one I released last night.

This one was actually bigger than the other ones I’ve released…

Congrats on your frog Tammie!!! That is sooooo neat! I would totally be yelling too. LOL.

That's a nice birdhouse HollyAnn.

I had bad luck with my tadpoles this year. I "rescued" the eggs from the pond and then released them into the pond when they were 2 inches long. I haven't seen one since. I think all of my goldfish have eaten them!

Your froglet is adorable, sunny. Next year, I will wait until they are that size before I let them in the pond. Of course, there's always that 2 foot long garter snake that might get them...he swims in the pond in the early morning with a look of supreme satisfaction on his face.

My big guy who I have now named "Lou" was so cooperative today. He was out sunning and croaking most of the day.He let me get as close as 6 inches to take his picture. Have some good shots today.

Catching a few rays in the deep end.

Looking around for something good to eat!

After a few laps around the pond,it's time to get out for more
sun tanning...

Need to find a plant with a bigger leaf..I think that crazy lady with the camera has found me again...

This picture came out great. Did not know I caught his reflection until I down loaded the pic's. My favorite shot of the day!

Can't forget the fishies. They are enjoying the water lily's as they fill out. I have removed the Koi castle as they have plenty of places to hide now. This guy still needs to learn how to hide correctly. I see you!

darn..almost got all 13 koi in one shot..12 1/2 in this shot. Will keep on trying!

Sunny, Your froglets are adorable, so cute. When my children were young we raised them from tadpoles and watched them turn into frogs and then took them back to the creek. We had a very old aquarium that was long and shallow the kind with the metal edges. We made a pond end and then plied dirt and rocks at the other end so they could get out of the water. The kids just loved watching them grow legs and become completely different.
BeaHive, You got some really great shots. You're right that shot with the reflection is very good.
My shots are usually when they are out sunning themselves but I finally got a water shot. Not near as good as BeaHive's I'm sorry to say. LOL

Beautiful photos! That reflection shot should be entered in the contest this year.

I agree with Kaper, BeaHive. That is an outstanding shot. I love his name - it's perfect.
(Mr. Grant or Danny Devito on 'Taxi')

I named him after Lou Rawls..the singer. This frog has the loudest
& deepest voice I have ever heard coming from a frog. I can be in the front yard and hear him in the back pond.

He was "hiding" again today by the taro plant. I think he thought he was doing a great job of it as the taro had developed a third leaf.
Yesterday's post..only two.
It like hiding behind a pole...he's so cute in this one..

I had the best phot opt tonight and I blew it. It was just getting dark when I noticed the frog on land. Of course my camera was in the house in my office.. called for my daughter to bring it to me.
He was still on land and I took a picture..no flash... a few of the landscape lights need bulb replacements..so this picture is dark and not focused .

I watched him for a bit and he sensed the danger lerking across the pond. It's that crazy lady with the camera again!! He slowly and I mean slowly edged his way to the side of the pond. Then he moved his right leg over the side of this rock, straddling it and looking around for a while. Snapped a bunch of pictures, but they are all bad. This is the best of the lot which isn't saying much. Note to self: get pond lighting fixed, work on the flash issues and always take your camera outside...
These would have been great shots...if circumstances were better.
Well, hopefully he will take another evening stroll soon.

BeaHive, I can sympathise with you on blowing a good shot sometimes I get so excited about a photo op that I don't take the time to think. Like the time I missed a Bald Eagle shot, got so excited I hit the off button instead of the Take picture button. And there is always a dragonfly when the camera is in the house.
? what size pot are you growing your taro plant in ? And do you take it out in the winter, and what do you do with it ? . Thanks in advance.
Chris

Beahive, I feel your pain..... about the camera I mean. I had forgotten (did I ever know?) that my digital camera would take live action pictures. I have some really nice movies of my feet walking around, a couple of good ones of my bosom and chin, and a nice 30 seconds of my cat, Socrates, as I was trying to get him to sit still for a picture. All accompanied by my mutterings and mumbles as it records sound also. It was a real surprise after I downloaded it to the computer and then started looking at my pictures. After the shock I nearly fell out of my chair I laughed so hard. Then I went out the next day and did it again! I swear, when you have a blonde moment along with a senior moment you never know what will happen........

Wonderful photos Beahive.
I bought 4 dozen baby goldfish this week. Tonight I counted 14. The little grey heron has been visiting again (as he always does) and I actually saw him guzzling down a poor goldfish this afternoon! Obviously he's been here for all 3 meals plus hors d'ouvres!
Mommy frog was croaking again tonight and her 40 tadpoles are still in the development stage. I wonder how long it takes tadpoles to mature to frogs? This must be a 2 month growth period so far!

My pond is really busy in the evening as everyone comes for a drink before bed. This is a pic of Momma Grackle and her screaming kid lol!

bedouin. Here is a link to a simple explanation of the cycle. I think from eggs to frog is about 11 weeks..
http://www.tooter4kids.com/Frogs/life_cycle_of_frogs.htm

I don't have any photos yet, but I've seen something that resembles a chipmunk. Is about 6in long with the distintive stripes and it seems to live between the rocks of my lil' pond and the fence. It is very quick and I have only seen it about 4 times so far. Will have to take a pic from inside the house.

Thanks for the link BeaAHive. Well, I went to feed the once upon a time over 4 dozen goldfish, 2 days ago down to 14 and today down to 3. Hungry little Egret. Fed up with him though! Time he found new pastures for his appetite!