252: Let’s go sit on the swim dock

Rowing out to the dock.

Now that the swim platform is in place, one of the things M and I like to do some evenings is row out there, have a seat, sip on a drink, enjoy the view and, if no one is mowing, chain-sawing, weed-whacking, or tractoring, take in the peace and quiet.  I thought you might like to come with us on our latest relaxing adventure.  The photos are from Sunday evening.

Fully loaded (with floatation devices) boat

We usually go an hour or more before sunset.  Once the sun sets, the breeze usually stops and the mosquitoes come out to play.  So do the bats.  The bats do their best to keep up with the mosquitoes, but there are always some who slip by and manage to feed on us if we’re out there once the darkness moves in.

A dragonfly joins us for a little while

There are some beach chairs and an umbrella on the platform, making it a fairly comfy place to hang out.  Because the platform isn’t still (it turns with the wind and the flow of the water), the umbrella is difficult to position so be sure to wear sunscreen if you’re worried about sunburn.  It’s not usually a problem that late in the day, but you never know.  I’ve gotten some pretty harsh burns after 4pm, thinking I didn’t need to slather on the sunscreen.

The funky ladder

You can go for a swim if you’d like.  M and M the Younger built this ladder from PVC pipes.  The log is there to keep it balanced and from tipping into the water.  I haven’t tried it out yet (because I haven’t gone for a swim yet), but M has used it a few times and it seems to be working well.

View of the house from the platform

I know you all are used to seeing the pond from the house so I thought I’d show you a different view today.  That’s the house straight ahead.  Off to the left, up the sledding hill, is the barn.  To the right is the wildflower meadow.  The only flowers blooming in the wildflower meadow right now are the wild raspberries that have sprung up from the birds carrying in the seeds.  If you didn’t come out with us on the rowboat, the pedal boat is waiting at the shore.

A lock at one of my favorite trees from the dock. Processed in Picnik.

While slowly spinning around out there, I like to have a good look at the trees that line the pond.  The birds are busy this time of year, mostly guarding and feeding their young.  There are a pair of cardinals who live somewhere near that lovely tree pictured up there.  The red-winged blackbirds are always hanging around nearby, chattering and whistling.  I haven’t seen the kingfisher yet.

Frog Town

There are a few frogs living in the area above.  At least one bullfrog and one green frog.  They take turns calling out to their fellow frogs stationed around the pond.  The bullfrog’s call is a little like “rummm, rummm,” in a very low bass.  The green frog sounds a bit like a low “pong.”  To the right of that area is Turtle Beach where, if we’re lucky, we might see a few turtles.

Another sound you might hear out there is that of the fish splashing.  They come up to feed on the small insects that hover over the water.  Usually it’s a small splash, but once in a while one of the big fish will leap up and out, cannon-balling back into the water with a big whoosh.

Last night's sunset

Once the sun goes behind the trees, and the bats and mosquitoes come out, it will be time to go back to shore.  We can go sit on the deck for a while, if you like, and watch as the sky changes colors.  This time of year it takes the mosquitoes a while to find us up there.  In another few weeks that won’t be the case, and we’ll have to hang out on the screened-in porch.

Looking at the pedal boat from the deck at sunset

I hope you enjoyed your time out on the pond.  Thank you for joining me.  Maybe we’ll go fishing next time.  🙂

Today’s Outdoor Adventures

It is a super gorgeous day here in the Bogs.  There were a few clouds this morning, but they cleared out quickly.   The sky is a lovely shade of blue.  The temperature is around 70, and there is a nice breeze.  It’s perfect hiking or biking weather.

This morning's view of the pond

Unfortunately for me, I’ve had some work I needed to do today.  The good news, though, is that some of that work was outdoors so I haven’t entirely missed the day (or missed honoring my commitment to get out there).  Plus I opened up a lot of the windows in the house and invited the outdoors in.  It feels good to have the fresh air blowing through the house, taking out the old energy and making way for the new.

That’s about it from the Bogs for today.  I’m off on a mini-adventure this evening which might result in photos.  Or might not.  I’m considering leaving the camera at home for a change.  It’s good to take a break every now and then.

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