Who let the frogs out?

Liz! OMG! I'd move! Immediately, no forwarding...what do you mean, "Haven't seen him since."?? Has no foolish person in your neighborhood come forward to say they've lost one? I definitely do not want any boas here.....rosy boas, yes ,but not that big guy you've got there.

No, nobody came looking for one or posted flyers or anything like that--it definitely didn't belong to any of the neighbors who I talk to on a regular basis. I think the zoom on the camera might have made him look bigger than he is--when I saw him slithering up my front hill he looked like he was about 5 ft at most. It was back before Christmas that I saw him last and I haven't seen any roadkill snakes in the street, so I'm assuming he moved to someone else's yard or maybe found his way home. Or else went back down the hill and found his way into the big open space behind me, lots of stuff for him to eat there.

When we first moved to this area years ago, we had a cat who was used to chasing and catching garden snakes in Washington, carrying them around...after we moved here, he went out the kitchen screen door one day and there was a King snake about 5 feet long....this cat never went out that door again without first looking down and in both directions first. That's how I would feel about having seen that boa on my property......

Snake stories are really good!! Have me laughing out loud. Went to a rose garden/nursery last summer with a group, my friend and I were walking through the garden and this little snake slithered across the path. I'm thinking how neat! and about the same time my friend is screaming at the top of her lungs and trying to crawl on my head!!
Turns out she is deathly afraid and that poor snake was terrified of her, it went the opposite way very fast!!

LOL wc....Smart cat!! We don't have many snakes around here, little garden variety once in blue moon. I could use them for the gophers too. My outside cat (a feral that lives in our garage) brings mice and the occassional bird :-( as a present every now and again. I encourage the mice, not so the birds.

Frogs are singing still, got quite a little bit ago. Funny how you can hear them stop! Must be a critter walking around out there. We have coyotes and of course stray cats. I don't know if Heron feed at night, wouldn't think so.

I didn't know you had coyotes!

Our frogs have been very vocal that last couple of days, but not too much at night. Can't figure out their schedule!

This was my other encounter with a large snake--a nice big gopher snake laying across the path at one of the regional parks around here. My parents were visiting, and just after we'd passed the snake we saw a couple walking their dogs in the direction of the snake, so I warned them that there was a gopher snake in the path. They weren't too worried about it because they said they had just passed a rattler! Fortunately they must have scared the rattler off because we never saw it.

Rattlers I give a wide path to. They can have the whole path if they want it!

Yes, sis we have coyotes. They usually stay back in the woods, but occasionally they come close. Saw one right off the edge of our place one day. Don't know who was more startled....him or me. LOL That's why we put the kitty door in the garage door for Fluffy, she has a nice bed (or goes up in the rafters) and stays in there every night.

Okay, I believe you. It's just that I had 3 brothers who drug home all kinds of critters. A fun day for us was hiking down the San Luis Rey River to go to the beach. On the way back, we always found something interesting to bring home. Bullfrogs the size of dinner plates, seashells, and once a snake that we found a week after it had escaped in YB#1's pillow. It was a lot of fun.
I'm not surprised about the coyotes. They range much further north than people think. That is so sweet of you to put in a kitty door for your feral cat friend. Since our ferals have been living in my jacuzzi room I might do that for them. Except they probably expect me to continue to be their chamber maid. Let me think about it. LOL!
Forgot to get photos of eggs this morning. Frogs are still croaking. Mine stop when people walk by, or the dogs, cats, coyotes, possums, and other critters.
Herons don't hunt at night. Day feeders!
I give the rattlers as much space as they want, but I'm going armed with my squirt bottle. Last time I saw a rattler here on the farm must have been about 14 years ago. DH's grandfather hated them and hunted them down. This guy I saw was huge, must have been a Great-Great-Grandfather. NO JOKE! He was at least 6 feet long, and a good 8 inch girth on him. At the time I was terrified my red headed kid was going to get bit, so I was hanging on to the squirmy 2 footed kid's overalls with one hand and the stupid beagle mutt with the other. That dog always had more balls than brains.
When DH got home, I told him about it. His response was, "Well, did ya kill it?" Like I have poison spit or was going to brain it with a rock or something. I guess I could have thrown the dog or the kid at it. LOL! Not even! What was he thinking? Oh my, that was funny, now, not then of course, but now it is funny!
I guess if I'd just seen a rattler, a king snake wouldn't faze me much either. LOL!
These stories are hilarious!
The photos are great too. I can't believe how pretty and shiny his scales are, ecrane!
Walking in Laughter!
SW

We've got polliwogs in our fountain (outside the bedroom window). DH was just getting ready to clean it out, too. We'll have to move them down to the pond.

I did hear the rumor on the 'net that you have poison spit----are you telling me it's not true?
And how does one move polliwogs from a fountain? Will there be photoso? I think I wanna see this!

sis......a handy kitchen utensil perhaps? I have a nice little sieve that works. LOL

Their singing again, we had a nice warm (at least for us) day, lots of sun. I think they're celebrating again.

I think I would need a change of clothes if I ever ran into a rattler that big, have enough trouble with a regular sized one!! And he wants to know if you killed it!!!

Know about holding off kids and dogs. My youngest was messing with a coral snake once in Mexico when we were camping. He was only 5 but I thought we'd warned him enough. Thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest. He got one of those STOP THAT AND COME TO ME NOW!!!'s that he knew better than to ignore. LOL Plus we had minature poodles who that they were pitbulls.

Naw, that was just a rumor, ima. (Giggle) Mom and my siblings always teased me about having inferior saliva.
I do know enough not spit straight up, and not to spit into the wind. LOL, it still makes me laugh, NOW!
In answer to the question of how you move the polliwogs, very carefully! LOL! You guys are as bad as me.
Are these eggs still, or have they hatched out. Send photos. I'm easily amused! ^_^
WIB,
SW

Wish I could watch. LOL

We just coss posted, Sally. I got to explain something about raising boys. First you got to develop that MOM TONE of Voice. You know the one that even stops strangers kids in their tracks. Then you've got to get their attention for them to learn.
My redheaded, two year old used to run around all the time, and my was he curious. We had to put locks in his windows because he would sneak out when he should have been napping. When he developed a real interest in lizards I warned him not to be messing with those alligator lizards.
Alligator lizards have no teeth, using reverse psychology and knowing that if he gets bit by the lizard means that he isn't going to be likely to pick up a snake. I let him pick it up. It promptly bit him and he let go and he cried. He has never been bit by a snake. He has learned how to pick them up the right way. He even rescued his little brother from the bad bitey bug. (Scorpion). You know, he used to listen a whole lot better. Independent little cuss. It was his little brother who got bit by the snake.
Never occurred to me to pee my pants. I was too angry to be scared that way. Mostly 'cause neither the kid or the dog would mind and I had to haul them down the hill fighting them both the whole way. I felt sorry for the snake to tell you the truth. But then I think you know the feeling! I can just hear your son saying but Mom, he's so pretty! Boys! ^_^
And small dogs and their attitudes! ^_^
WIB,
SW

Exactly!! That youngest of mine was a challenge because he reacted so darn fast! Almost when over the side of the river boat at Disneyland when the fake rhino popped up and scared him. We laughed about that one forever. I had to make him put his hands in his pockets at stores, he couldn't look at anything without touching (and breaking). Now at 42 he still puts his hands in the pockets when we walks in a stores and then says bad things about his mother! LOL

Laughing myself silly. It's a good thing we laugh or we'd probably strangle them out of frustration. LOL! I think my eldest kid is finally starting to grow up. My youngest has surpassed his own expectations at school and made me real proud of him. Oh, but there were times when I didn't know if I should strangle them or laugh my head off.
My frogs are croaking like crazy. Sounds pretty loud out there. Quite a chorus tonight.
Wonder how KC's polliwog removal is going?
WIB,
SW

I talked to her tonight, she'll probably try something soon so they can get the fountain running again.

I knew it had to be the youngest one with the snake! Little stinker.

Can't do anything about the pollies until tomorrow or the next day. I'll get a net and scoop them into a bucket. DH says they're not stopping the fountain - it's been iffy lately. It's on a light sensor thingy so we don't have to go turn it on and off manually. He just found a good outdoor timer that will do the same thing, hopefully. Amazing thing - it will go on at light and off at dark, or vice versa. He could never find one to do that, so he jiggered something together. We don't run the pumps (4 water features) 24 hrs.

I remember when he did that, he was so proud! Those things don't last forever, so it could just be worn out. Where did he find that timer? Maybe I can hook one up to my fountain.

I'll ask him for the link for the timer. He told me I was wonderful because I suggested how to google for it and that's how he found it. :-) It better live up to expectations now!

oh the snakes! ack, SW you may be able to scoop it in a pillow case, but I would NEVER be able to!

Mom voice lol - I was at the park with my youngest- about 2 then, he was standing at the top of a VERY tall slide and I pointed up at him and said "SIT DOWN" ,,, there was a man with a dog who started to sit down thinking I was talking to him. hee hee

I don't speak loudly as a rule, but MY MOM VOICE reaches across the 40+ acre farm, and everyone minds!
Off to see if I can find more polly photos to take.
KC take a piece of nylon and cover the intake valve with it, then attach it with a rubber band, remove and clean tadpoles/eggs off as needed.
Might make it easier. We aren't running the waterfall right now. Will after they've done their thing. LOL!
WIB,
SW

Found more eggs and couldn't catch the frog. He could hop faster than I could move. Sigh. Did find these guys. Does any one else have a problem with them? How do I get rid of them, or should I?
Thanks,
WIB,
SW

I think those are the "good" snails. Are they less than 1'2" long? If so, I get a ton of them, and they eat algae and stay in the pond. When they die, their shells end up in my filter basket and I dump them into the compost.

Cool, I found this guys in the small raised planter Dad inspired in the H.bird/B.fly garden. I'll see if I can add some to the bigger pond. Good snails are hard to find! LOL!
WIB!
SW

Keep us posted on that one SW. I've actually never seen a good snail. LOL

Looks like the Japanese Trapdoor Snail that you want for water gardens......
edited to add that my neighbor grows water lilies, bog plants for sale and sells the snails for ponds, along with fish (platys), so you don't want to get rid of them....

This message was edited Mar 5, 2009 6:00 AM

The only other good snail I know of was on my plate.
LOL!
I'll cultivate this ones.
WIB,
SW

Have you guys looked at how many views this thread has? OK, you lurkers...come out come out wherever you are! LOL

SW, I read that if you want the babies to live, you need to pull them out and keep them separate. These snails give live birth and "Koi and other creatures find them tasty", so if you want more snails, you need to remove them as babies and then you can put them back in with the others when they have grown to an inch or so.....

wc, The only other critters living in the container they are currently in are a few mosquito fish. Seem not to care for the snails. They get to be as big as an inch in size? WoW! The biggest was maybe a half inch long. I'll keep that container for a breeding tank! LOL!
KC, wouldn't you expect lurkers at the pond? ^_^
Say, did DH ever get the tadpoles out of your water feature? How did it go? Inquiring minds want to know.
WIB,
SW

Darn, I was out shopping and forgot to get the net! They're fine...just swimming 'round and 'round. :-)

Look who came up into the yard today.

This is where they usually are. Swimmin with the froggies.^_^

Hope they don't eat all the tadpoles!

Great photos! What kind of geese are they? Hopefully there is more to eat than all the tadpoles.
I guess we'll get to see your tadpoles next weekend KC. Tee Hee! ^_^
Got to go for now.
WIB,
SW

Look who I found in the green house today.
WIB,
SW

That one looks like he's been eating a lot!!! LOL Bet he can croak loud.

Those are Canada Geese. They spend summer here all over town. They're mainly plant eaters, so the tadpoles are safe. We used to have a pair that nested here every year, then the female was killed. After that the male came by himself for a couple of years, that was sad. Now we have these two. Don't know if he found another mate or if it's just a different couple, sometimes we had more than two. I had heard they mate for life, but not sure if that's true.

The frogs were quite today. Had a couple of toads (I think) calling to one another across the pond, it was neat to hear instead of the steady din from the crowd.

cute frog SW !!

Sally - my DH used to work at the Nike campus in Beaverton. When the canadian geese would nest they'd have to put signs up everywhere - they would aggressively come at you. Yours look much better behaved.

Reminds me of the swan that came after me in England! Those guys can be nasty, too.