Coyotes, Bunnies, Toads, and Now Something New
It has been two months since I pranced out of the garage with a shovel in my hand and started digging a big ol' hole in our backyard. It has been six weeks since I last managed to do any real work on that hole, mostly because Mother Nature has been all weepy and sad and making me want to kick puppies as she gave us weekend after weekend with rain. Even when it hasn't actually rained, I haven't worked on the pond because there has been rain in the forecast and, well, I got a little tired of draining water out of the hole.
You see, it seems that the "little" drainage problem we knew needed addressed in the back yard is more like a HOLY CRAP WATER JUST SITS problem in the back yard. The three foot deep hole I dug has stayed full for six weeks now. It has rained a lot in that time, but still. That's some serious water-holding magic going on.
Anyway, all that is left to do on the pond is maybe two hours worth of digging; a little work with some cinder blocks; tossing in the liner (obviously not needed to hold water in, but rather to keep dirt out; setting up the pumps, filter, and skimmer; arrange some rocks; and BAM! We'll have a gorgeous little waterfall and pond.
Some day. Eventually. If the rain-or-threat-of-rain-every-weekend cycle ever stops.
In the meantime, it seems that there has been an invasion in the hole in the ground. Things which I have previously happily paid $1.50 each to have (we had a pond at our old house) just found their way to the hole and made themselves at home.
Frogs. Not just one frog, frogS. I counted at least three when I sat outside for ten minutes earlier tonight, which means there are probably dozens.
We should probably just call it a day and leave the hole as it is. Another month or two and it'll manage to turn itself into a fully stocked pond, I'm sure.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Reader Comments (8)
Love that picture! I collect all types of frog things. Doesn't matter what it is, I just love frogs. Down at the Arts Festival I bought 11 photos of frogs. (See all the money I could have saved by just sitting in your yard? Or all of the money you could have made?)
You should start selling them to others who are purposefully creating ponds! YEAH!?
With your water problem, you didn't even have to dig a hole - you could have just dumped some fish into the standing water and been all, "Darwin, bitches - if it dries up, grow legs!"
Adorable! Seriously, though, the pond needs work…
Color me totally jealous - we just have toads here usually.
@Rob--Yes, yes it does. Someday . . .
@Donalyn--We have those, too. They scare the crap out of me just about every night.
Hello little froggie! Good thing you won't have to worry about stocking the pond! HA!
No turtles? You need a turtle. Or at least Alexis playing in the mudhole.