Visitors 142
Modified 24-Feb-24
Created 24-Feb-24
21 photos
At Danna’s suggestion, I visit the Frog Pond on this peaceful Tuesday morning, after a series of rainstorms. The pond is as full as it ever gets: the overflow is active. The schoolyard is unusually quiet for a Tuesday – is it Ski Week?
A Great Blue Heron takes advantage of the peace to forage in the mirror-calm waters. I move closer to observe at near eye level. Success: the heron remains at work, posing for me – and catches breakfast (a California Newt?) It finally leaves in peace; I move closer to the water to document the soggy ground. As I walk home, a cheeky Scrub Jay greets me from a Valley Oak bordering Frog Pond Preserve.
BONUS (a day earlier): Slanting sunlight conjures a full rainbow over the pond. Sunlight bathes the new green grass and trees bordering the Preserve; storm clouds approach, bearing raindrops.
BONUS #2: A pair of Canada Geese take possession of the Frog Pond another morning, displacing the usual Mallard Ducks and occasional Great Blue Heron. Ripples spread across the dark quiet surface with its reflection of distant sunlit trees.
DOWNER: Loose dogs chase away hungry Great Blue Heron. Many people walk dogs nearby; most keep their dogs leashed. THANK YOU. There are better places nearby to let pets run free; please leave Frog Pond Preserve for native birds and animals. It is wonderful to see them going about their lives, in this tiny, fragile refuge. (I don’t know the full story of this incident as dusk fell on a stormy day; sometimes animals escape despite our best efforts.)
A Great Blue Heron takes advantage of the peace to forage in the mirror-calm waters. I move closer to observe at near eye level. Success: the heron remains at work, posing for me – and catches breakfast (a California Newt?) It finally leaves in peace; I move closer to the water to document the soggy ground. As I walk home, a cheeky Scrub Jay greets me from a Valley Oak bordering Frog Pond Preserve.
BONUS (a day earlier): Slanting sunlight conjures a full rainbow over the pond. Sunlight bathes the new green grass and trees bordering the Preserve; storm clouds approach, bearing raindrops.
BONUS #2: A pair of Canada Geese take possession of the Frog Pond another morning, displacing the usual Mallard Ducks and occasional Great Blue Heron. Ripples spread across the dark quiet surface with its reflection of distant sunlit trees.
DOWNER: Loose dogs chase away hungry Great Blue Heron. Many people walk dogs nearby; most keep their dogs leashed. THANK YOU. There are better places nearby to let pets run free; please leave Frog Pond Preserve for native birds and animals. It is wonderful to see them going about their lives, in this tiny, fragile refuge. (I don’t know the full story of this incident as dusk fell on a stormy day; sometimes animals escape despite our best efforts.)
Dan Quinn