I went out to say good morning to the frogs and to feed the fish when I heard my name being called. It was the lady next door who wanted to warn me of yet another blue heron sighting in my yard. Criminy. I guess that silly pterodactyl was on the roof this time, spying on the pond, trying to figure out what was on the buffet this morning. She claims that no arm-waving or yelling was gonna make him budge--so that is sorta scary. Nothing worse than brave pterodactyl.
So, Joe and I made the trip to the home improvement store for stakes and fishing line to build a little fence around the pond. I guess you have to put the line at 6", 12" and 18" around the pond to prevent the big guy from getting close the water to spear the fish and frogs. So, that we did, and added some netting on top--just to make it look a little more intimidating to the intruder. Add electricity to the line and you've got yourself a little jail yard look going on around the pond. Gees, it's lovely.
It's not the fish I'm worried about--it's the frogs this time. I was missing two large frogs the past few days and I thought for sure they were in the belly of some prehistoric bird--but no, all three were sitting there looking at me while I built this fortress for them. I hope they appreciate the effort.
I've got an uncle that sits out on his porch to shoot the armadillo in his yard. After years of destruction to his garden, Uncle Jerry has finally had enough. Now he's got a shotgun to solve the problem once and for all. And while I'm not keen on firearms, I'm thinking I may just have to send Uncle Jerry a plane ticket to help me out here.
And while the raccoons and the heron will all kindly move along with Uncle Jerry here, I'm thinking it will also keep the neighbors from wanting to chat as well. It's a win-win if you ask me.
13 comments:
I don't know why but the electricity made me laugh. I got a little fence set up outside (free from Menards of course). I was determined to keep everything away from my plants. Then hardly anything grew and the pumpkins and zuchini are totally missing in action anyway. Ask uncle if he can stop by here and take care of a few moquitos with the shotgun.
Hey I got two days off. Amazingly I have to go in to work later anyway.
I wonder if your frogs and fish know all the trouble and expense you go to to save their wee butts. ;)
xo Catherine
Nothing like a shotgun and a crazy uncle to keep pesky varmints and neighbors away!
I'm crotchety enough to do something like that-- sit on the porch with a shotgun. Man, I hate the deer and raccoons. We'd be eating and skinning for MONTHS. lol
The hubby tries to shoot the pocket gophers that eat his garden. There is always something, in the words of the great philosopher cat Daisy, that will ruint your good times.
Does your uncle like road trips as we have a racoon problem here. They are eating my Tiny Tim tomatoes and knocking over my gnomes...I tell yah...drastic measures are needed.
WEll we are glad you haven't gone for the gun yet. Maybe shoot a firecracker off and see if that scares that big bird off. They are pretty even they do want your frogs.The fence sounds like a great idea. The no talking to the neighbors sounds like a great idea to me.
LOL at Pricilla!
Did you know that armadillos are real dumb? Here they cross the road, and when a car is about to go over them, they jump up in fright ensuring their demise.
Hope all that stuff makes the bird move on! We saw a fish pond at a farm that had fishing line above the top so that it formed squares about a foot across to keep birds from being able to fly down into the pond or to reach in there and grab the huge goldfish. There is beading line called Fireline that is black (techically called smoke) but it's basically fishing line so I bet it'd work too and you couldn't see it.
Helene--They actually advise an electrical fence, believe it or not. With my luck, I'd get electrocuted! So, what did you do with your days off, Helene???
Catherine--I don't know, but I know! Nobody is gonna be in danger on MY shift! :)
Rebecca--Don't ya just hate it when nature goes all wild and stuff?? Sheesh.
Pricilla--No kidding. Darn nature.
Mary Ann--Oh, we had that problem last year. We had to send our raccoons to Happy Raccoon Village. I still feel bad about it, but those guys can really cause damage.
Marg--That bird comes so early, we never see him! Well, Joe did one morning and he couldn't believe how BIG he was! I think they are sorta stealth, those guys. I agree, they are pretty, but NOT eating my frog friends!!
Daisy--What is with that???! Sheesh, they ARE dumb! Maybe Uncle Jerry ought to just drive around his yard instead.
Beaded Tail--We have to watch what we use because of the frogs. We used to lay netting over the pond, but I was always afraid the frogs would tangle in it and die. I should take a photo of what we did--it is nice because the frogs can still come and go, but they are safe. It's kind of what you suggested, but more on the perimeter. Thank goodness my fish aren't big enough for him to eat!
Armadillos? Interesting. We have beavers clear cutting our forest. Would Uncle Jerry like to come to Canada?
Went into work for 2 hours.
Alex's first day of first grade today-Walking him there and picking him up. Slow it down, please :-)
Leanne--Oh, it seems everyone has their pesky fellows, eh? Oh, if nature would only have manners!
Helene--Oh, what a great day for Alex! First grade ROCKS! High five him for me. :)
Seriously, Lin, you could have your own show on National Geographic. I would watch.
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