Grill Frog and Bull Frog

Last week after a couple days of rain, I decided to cook some burgers on the grill. When I removed the cover, I was greeted by not one but two green frogs hanging on the side of the grill top. They didn't seem to concerned about my appearance and waited for me to go inside and get the camera. Even after several pictures they didn't move so I grabbed them one at a time and put them on the deck so dinner could continue.
In the second picture is a good sized Bullfrog hanging out in the new frog pond that opened last fall. He was content to pose for a couple of pictures and appeared to be king of this new domain.

Spring Time Beauty

OK so maybe this isn't too beautiful but if you use your imagination and think a month or two out. This ugly looking sprout will be a giant Elephant Ear. Once again this year, I left the Elephant Ear bulbs in the ground over the winter and once again some of them are popping back up.
Look at this, this is beautiful. A triple display of the unique Pink Lady Slipper. We have found at least 11 of these plants scattered in the natural areas of the yard. They push up through the layer of leaves that is spread on the ground in the fall. The baby Pink Lady Slipper that we moved out of harms way last year is coming back but doesn't have a flower yet. Will check it again in a week.

Sad Day at the Bird Nest

So sorry to report that all the baby birds were gone when I got home from work last night. I noticed the Momma Bird wasn't on the nest and took a look and the nest was empty. There was no sign of a struggle and I can't be sure who the predator was - but I suspect my snake control didn't work. It is particularly sad since Momma Bird has been working so hard feeding the kids and once there were two birds helping with the feeding. I don't know what the next step on this nesting site will be.
To top it off late last night I went out to the pond and was confronted by a snake curled up on the deck. He didn't seem to scared of me and didn't run so I grabbed him with my new snake stick and walked him to the edge of the yard and released him over the fence. I'm not sure what kind of snake he was but will be looking around the Internet this morning.

We Have Babies

Last week I checked the nest and there were 5 eggs not just three as the first picture showed. Momma bird has been very dependable in that she has spent most of her time sitting on the eggs. Well today when I got home, she wasn't sitting there so grabbed the camera and We Have Babies.
Now comes the dangerous part. The babies are going to be chirping away asking mom for more food. And the big fear is mr. snake will be listening. My hope is the snake defender I installed works if mr. snake tries to put them on the menu. I'll keep a close eye on the situation.

Bottom and Top View of Greenhouse Frog

This morning I was greeted by a new (to me) Greenhouse Frog. He was hanging on the inside of the greenhouse glass door. As such I got a picture of the bottom of the Greenhouse Frog and then I opened the door and took a picture of the top. He moved slightly when I opened the door but stayed long enough for the picture.

Since it was still very dark at 5 am, the pictures were pretty dark so I lightened them using Photoshop Elements. This made the colors a little weird but overall not too bad.