Wednesday Treasures in Pamela's Wild Kingdom

 Here it is Wednesday already! This week is just a flying on by! I guess because we had a holiday on Monday, and that always throws me off as to what day it is. It also means our garbage will be picked up a day later than normal as well.  We always have to keep track of those days since it is only once a week, and if you miss it, well, then you're stuck with stinky garbage for another week!   

Oh gee, I guess I didn't really intend to start this post off by talking about stinky garbage! LOL.  Let's see, what can I share that would be more appropriate and pleasant? How about this:

The Bluebirds continue to come visit the birdhouse every day, but so far I cannot tell that they have built any nest inside. They often stick their heads inside and look around, and sometimes even go inside, but then they come back out and think about it, but never really do anything.

And even more strange, this male decided to go check out the other birdhouse too, but then he just flew away and his mate soon joined him.  However, in a few minutes they will be back again, and go through this same routine, but without ever actually building a nest. This has been going on all spring, and for some reason they just haven't decided to settle down to nesting.   Now with these 95 degree days it is really too hot.  So I guess they're bypassing raising any new babies this year.

Speaking of nesting...this very large Florida Soft-Shelled Turtle waddled up onto the shore of Still Waters Pond and decided to lay her eggs in the middle of my butterfly garden last night! 

I was happy that our "kids" were over last night and the grandpuppies were busily watching the kitties through the sliding glass doors and therefore we saw the turtle come up on shore at the same time. 

The incubation period is 60-90 days, so I hope nothing digs up the eggs or destroys them before then. I noticed that the Sand Hill Cranes went right over there after the turtle went back in the water, and they were poking around in that area, so I hope they didn't poke the eggs.

We've had turtles come and lay eggs in our yard before, but I've never yet been able to see when the baby turles hatch and head back to the water.  

I wish I could see it happen sometime. I'll have to keep watching from about the end of July through August I guess.

There's never a dull moment here at Still Waters Pond, that's for sure!

One reason the kids came over last night was to install this RING doorbell for us.  We didn't have a regular doorbell, and it's often difficult to hear when someone comes to our door, and it's also hard to see who's out there without being obvious about it.  So we decided to try this RING doorbell so we can see who is here even if we aren't home.  It's an added security measure that I think is wise in this day and age.  How many of you already have one of these?

And here's a video of me this morning, testing it out and then trying to figure out how to download it onto my computer so I could share it with you! Hey! It works!!

The other nice thing last night was that Rose had been off from work for a couple of days, and she had cooked a delicious beef stew in the crock pot and they wanted to share it with us. I made the cornbread, and we had a wonderful evening. It even decided to thunderstorm while they were here, which was an added bonus. I didn't take any pictures, however, because I was too busy with trying to get this RING APP installed on my cell phone. Actually, Rose did it for me, but I had to watch and see what she was doing so I would know how to operate it.  They already have this at their house, and they really like it.

Speaking of rain and the fomer lack thereof,  I had mentioned once that we were thinking about putting a small swimming pool in the back yard so the wild critters could get a drink of water while it has been so dry that even the pond was drying up.  Our intention was to set our wildlife/night cam on it so we could get pictures of whatever animal showed up in the night to drink from it.  Well, so far we haven't had any night visitors, but I didn't happen to see this sweet fluffy kitty, a.k.a. "Sunshine", getting a drink.

Yes, our cats have a bowl of fresh water up on the porch that is kept refilled and fresh all day long, but for some reason Sunshine prefers to drink out of the swimming pool and before that I often saw him going down to the edge of the pond and drinking, (before it was getting so dry that he would have to walk out on the mud to get to the water).  

Isn't he sweet?  Something got his attention here for a minute...maybe he was trying to tell Blackie to come and join him.  I have seen Blackie drink from it a few times, but never when I had my camera handy.

I think I need to fill it up a little higher so he doesn't have to lean so far over to drink.  Heaven forbid if he should actually fall into the pool and get all wet! LOL.  

Speaking of things in the water...we've been taking more rides lately as it is too hot to get out and do much walking and hubby hasn't felt up to doing much anyway, and I am doing most of the driving right now, so anyway, we took a little ride down to the Kenwood Boat Ramp, where we've been many times before. 

As I was walking along the shore looking at the reflections on the water and studying the lily pads, etc., I suddenly heard a loud plunk into the water off shore just beyond where I was standing...

Thankfully I had my good camera with the zoom lens, and I was able to see what had made that fast move into the water...

Yes, a "small" alligator apparently had been resting on the shore where I was headed, and he jumped into the water just before I got too close. Shew! That was a close one for me too!!

Some of these pictures are a bit blurred, but I liked the way the reflections on the water turned out, so just enjoy the abstractedness of them with me, if you don't mind...

And be thankful along with me that this guy was probably only about 4' long and not his Mama or his Papa alligator!  Believe me, I was being very watchful just in case they were still sunning themselves along the shore where I couldn't see them among the weeds...

His reflection of his eyes in the water looks rather strange...but we won't go there...

So , all is calm, all is well out there on the canal...

Just don't go swimming in there, okay?

Okay, back to this beautiful patriotic cross that our son made, which is a lovely way to express your faith in God and support of our country, especially for the 4th of July and other patriotic holidays...

Some of you expressed interest in it.  He doesn't have it on his Etsy site yet, but if anyone is interested in buying one, you can contact him on their Ben & Rose's Country Woodshop Facebook page and send him a message, and he will be happy to talk to you about this and any other items you are interested in, like the Easter Empty Tomb that he made. If you aren't on Facebook, contact me via  my email (link attached HERE), and I will forward your information to him.  I'm not trying to sell things here, but I am sharing this only because some have expressed interest in it.   Thank you!

2 Chronicles 7:14  KJV

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Well, I guess that's it for today's Wednesday Treasures.  I hope you enjoyed visiting here today in "Pamela's Wild Kingdom". LOL..you just never know what you will see!    Have a blessed and happy week my friends.