Frogs Galore in the Cisterns

 In the back yard, we have three cisterns that get progressively smaller and lower.  The largest one overflows into the next and that one overflows to the lowest one.  The frogs love these cisterns.  In the first picture you can just barely see a green tree frog in the overflow pipe from the largest cistern.  We never noticed this last year so it appears to be a new habit by the tree frog.  In the second picture is a frog convention with eight frogs hanging out in the lowest cistern.  It is hard to see because of the bright sunshine but they are having a great time.  In deference to the frogs, we've stopped taking water from the lowest cistern.

New Oak Leaf Hydrangea

 Last year we transplanted three Oak Leaf Hydrangeas from out 10 year old plants that have done very well into pots.  This one rooted and thrived in the pot so we looked for a spot to plant it in the ground.  This corner at the chain link fence looked like a great location.  We used bamboo from our bamboo grove to define the planting bed.  Now it is up to Mother Nature to help this plant grow as large as the other Hydrangeas.

Wonderful Buck Close-up

 One of the fun stories this summer is seeing several Bucks hanging around in the front yard.  I can't say if this Buck and Doe are having a smooch or an argument but they are striking a nice pose.  The second picture is maybe the same Buck posing for a picture as if he knew the camera was there just for him.  I hope the Bucks continue to come around as their antlers fully develop.

Watermelon Volunteers

 We have been making compost from fruits and vegetables for five years and using the compost to amend the soil in pots and gardens.  Every year we are pleased to see volunteers from the compost in the garden.  This year we transplanted a volunteer from the garden into a pot and watermelons started growing.  The first one in the pot shriveled after a couple of weeks but the one on the deck is still growing.  The vine doesn't seem big enough to support a large melon but we are hopeful.

Great Looking Deer Family

 Some great family photos in the front yard.  These pictures are two weeks apart and we aren't sure they are the same Deer families but there are two cute little babies in each. 

Mystery Critter

 A couple of nights ago, the camera caught a picture of a mystery critter in the front yard.  Too bad the picture isn't clearer so it would be easier to identify this critter.  The bushy  tail and pointed snout looks a lot like a raccoon but the tail doesn't have the usual stripes.  Hopefully this critter will stay in the front yard and leave the back yard to us.