Return of the Water Snake

 Uschi is on high alert, a green water snake has sprung back to life.

U follows the water snake to the west pond

that we will be keeping filled again this year.

Raccoons and birds are regular visitors to take a drink...

 ...and so is our doe and her new fawn.

 Along the water's edge are many small snails...

...and tadpoles metamophizing into Pacific Tree Frogs.

This one still has a bit of a tail.

This one is ready to spring into the tall grasses.

Along the edge, "Cinquefoil" (Potentilla) has arrived,

it is a native found in meadows and wetlands.

 

 Uschi is posing in the cinquefoil and mullein wildflowers

along the pond's bank.

 We're there a long time, the sun is setting.

As we head for home, someone else is coming up the path...

 Vladi has heard the water leaking out of the hose.

 V follows the sound of the water... 

(How do hoses always end up in a knot?)

 Isn't this awesome, Uschi?

 V finds the end of the hose...

 ...does a quick walk around the perimeter...

 ...and rejoins U, who is apparently much more fun than any snake.

Tanji missed out completely, he was in the garden with the deer.