New Pond Video

Once Upon a Pond from Valerie Smith on Vimeo.

Welcome to Once Upon A Pond! Glad you stopped by for a visit. This blog pretty much chronicles some of the delightful things that nature has to offer right here in my backyard. Occasionally I'll post something cool from elsewhere, like the Bull Snake I met up at Saguaro Park. The video above is a great way to meet most the critters that stop in to visit my pond for a sip. I managed to pack more species into this video than any of the others. Yet some of the other videos have a few species that are not in this clip.There are some shots of a very amorous Blue Belly lizard chasing a date. Sit back relax and turn up the speakers. I chose to edit the clips to the song "Spanish Eyes" by Al Di Meola off of his Splendido Hotel Album, because its always been one of my favorite tunes. The music seems to fit the beat of the birds rhythm. I've also always been in awe of Al Di Meola's guitar playing.



This shot is a close up of a weed I let grow in the yard. The blossoms on this pest are beautiful.


I snapped this shot the morning after a heavy rain. Looks like the lizard held his own against the deluge.


Barrel Cactus blossoms are so pretty.


This is a cool looking grasshopper. Oh no! watch out for Locusts!

Faux Falls

Every now and then I need to completely dry out the pond to clean it out. I worried about cutting off the water supply to all the critters who drink out of it throughout the day. The last time I dried it out I made a couple of small watering holes with garbage bags and gravel. Last week I found this little self contained artificial waterfall at a garage sale, and figured it would be a nice auxiliary water source. It took the doves and quail a little while to try it out, but the finches and woodpeckers adapted instantly. I shoved a bunch of natural rocks up in and around it to make it look more natural for the thirsty visitors.


When I moved out here I figured I'd traded in all my squirrels for rabbits, but I had a squirrel in my yard a couple of weeks ago.


One of the fledglings from the nest above my back patio, took his first decent into the world below today. I was out on the patio getting ready to set something up on my shelf, when I noticed this little guy using the shelf as a launch pad. I didn't spook him because he's kinda used to peering down at me from the nest. I'm happy he sat still long enough to pose.



Here is a shot of a Quail sitting atop the faux falls.

This is the second time I've spotted a Coachwhip in my yard. These have the most beautiful coral colored scales. Their body is mostly a combination of black pink and white, while their heads are mostly black. I was able to get a shot of the same species year before last. He was about twice the size of the one posted above. I posted a shot of him over here. Although they are not venomous, you don't really want to tangle with these. From what I hear they can be quite aggressive when trying to defend themselves. They are extremely swift, hence the name "Coachwhip". Oh yeah, also I posted a larger version of this image, just click on the picture for the larger version. Thanks for visiting.

Let Me In!

I was just fixen myself a cup of coffee when I heard a rapping on my window. I think this guy was checking up on me to make sure I was brewing "shade grown coffee".


This little guy decided to knock as well. The batteries on my camera had gotten low, so I missed the shot when he was up scratching on the window trying to get in. Silly wabbit!

April Roundup

Whew! Its been a long time since I've posted anything here. I've gotten pretty far behind. I've been deeply steeped in left brained endeavors, and up to my eyeballs in javascript and css. Not only has my blog been neglected, but I have not had enough time to pay a visit to all of my other favorite nature blogs. Perhaps this weekend.
I uploaded a bunch of shots taken around the yard in the last couple of weeks. This morning I looked up on my plant shelf and spotted a dozen dinky freshly hatched Praying Mantis's. These guys are only about the size of a sunflower seed.


I wonder how long they will make it before the tweets catch on to them and have them for lunch.


In an earlier post, I mentioned leaving the old dead honeysuckle wood up in tact for the little visitors. These Finches seem to be pleased with the decision.


A handful of my Lilly's have bloomed. This is a shot of a bud fixing to unfurl.



Here is a pair of Lilly's that have bloomed already.


The Mexican Primroses are in full bloom to.


This is my favorite Opuntia. They call it a "Dinner Plate Opuntia". Makes sense, as the pads are so big and nearly perfectly round.


Here is a close up of the Opuntia's blossom.


I'm not certain what species this bird is. Its not a real common visitor to my yard.



Here he is getting ready for a sip.


I sure wish this shot came out a bit better, but then again I'm happy to have it at all. I believe its a Vermilion Flycatcher. I was able to get a shot of one way back when I started my blog. I think it was in my very first post.
As always thank you for your visit.

Oregon Blooms

Last week I took a trip up to Oregon to visit with the kin folk and celebrate my mom's birthday. We all stayed at my sisters house in Grants Pass. That area is absolutely gorgeous this time of year. I decided to snap off some shots of some of the local color. I lived in Oregon a few years back, and despite its beauty, I decided to migrate down to the Sonoran desert. I guess I've grown hopelessly addicted to sunshine. That is of course until monsoon season rolls in when I become enamored with the breathtaking skyscapes.




Grants Pass was spectacular with all of the Cherries and Plums abloom. I decided to post a larger version of the plum blossoms. If you click on the picture above you can see the larger version.



I'm not really sure what type of wild flower this is that was growing in my Sisters yard. It certainly has a feminine look to it.




Now I know times are getting tough, but I guess in Grants Pass they actually have to give away the air in order to sell tires. It was a lovely visit, yet I'm happy to be back down in the sunshine.