Butterflies, birds, a toad gets evicted, our deer had a surprise, and a memory of Cecil the lion

[Omaha Steve]

I should write a book based on this thread title.

Marta and I enjoy the gifts nature provides for us daily. I mentioned a few weeks ago we have a new crop of baby turkeys. Here is a photo of one that got far enough away from mom on our side of the back fence to take the photo.



Earlier this week I was mowing the front yard. The poor toad reminded me of "moving day" in the film "The Secret of Nimh". That is his/her toad house on the right. Look close at the upper left and you will see our toad trying to escape from the mower noise. You can read "toad house" above the door. We have one in the back yard too. And the toads love them.



I don't have a photo from last night while we ate dinner. I do have this photo I've posted before about our semi-tame deer. She comes to the fence twice a day. She stands where she knows we can see her and waits to be fed. Bread, nuts, corn, seeds, fruit, etc. Last night during dinner she surprised us. For the first time she brought her 2 babies for us to see. A sure sign she trusts us.



This morning the crew arrived to install our new fountain. Everything works on a temp but legal power line. The electrician will be here late this week for the new line. We knew the birds would love the fountain. Once we came inside, the sparrows started to land and bathing immediately. We didn't know how much time the butterflies would spend around it.

Our new water feature right next to the front door. We can't wait to see it with the lights on tonight when it gets dark.



Friday we went shopping and picked out the fountain. We decided on a lion from several different types they had for sale. We went in to pay and arrange for the crew to do the install. Another customer joined the conversation when he heard the lion mentioned. The conversation went to Cecil's death. He is a rural Iowa hunter. But he too was disgusted by the poaching of beloved Cecil.



He guards our front door.

[tblue37]

1. KnR. nt

[rogerashton]

2. Toadally awesome. eom.

[passiveporcupine]

3. That toad house is a really cool idea.

I rescued a baby turkey last year (didn't take it in...just put it in a safer place, under a pile of branches so mom could come back and get it), but haven't seen one yet this year. Turkeys are finally coming around in the last two years, but my livestock dog does too good a job of chasing them away. I really love the wild turkeys.

[secondwind]

4. I'm awed by your posts and the photos.. n/t

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. Summer is a nice time to catch up with the critters, isn't it?

I like your fountain.

Our summer toad hangs around the front porch garden and always startles the dog when he hops near him.
I have built several toad houses, but they seem to like the natural protection of a loose brick wall that encloses the summer porch plants.

We have dozens of various lizards all over the place, and can watch them on the deck railings doing their red throated mating dance.
Happily Murphy cat is too old and fat and lazy to bother with them.

[Omaha Steve]

7. I'm having trouble with the photo link

Here is a better look. Click the photo to enlarge it: http://tinyurl.com/oadevlg

[flamin lib]

6. Pictures=good. Words=good. Pictures + words=da' best! nt

[swilton]

8. Thank you for the stories!

Glad to know that the toad houses really do work - I had no luck with mine; perhaps I should have kept trying!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

9. You live in a beautiful natural spot!

Love this thread. Love your gifts from nature. Love your TOAD!

I love toads!! If he squeaks, he's a boy. Female toads don't chirp. Pat his neck, they like that. 😊

I just use my fingers. But that baster brush looks like it feels extra good. 😜



Edit: ❤️ Cecil.

[Omaha Steve]

10. Fontenelle Forest is on the other side of our back yard

http://www.fontenelleforest.org/

So we get a lot of ticks. We use a safe, effective, organic bug control called CedarCide. It doesn't hurt us, the dogs, birds, bees, toads. etc. http://www.cedarcide.com/

OS

[raouldukelives]

11. So cool. Love that tiki fountain. But then, I do have a tiki fetish.

A lovely spot you have.

[Omaha Steve]

12. Your Freaky

About Tiki!

[Omaha Steve]

13. The electrical line, UV algae preventer, and safe 4 birds mosquito treatment are all in place

I'll try to get a night photo with the lights on tonight.