Dave in Retirement

The Hum is driving me a bit crazy. I first noticed it this year at the cabin and thought it must be a boat/plane that I couldn’t see. Then I heard it at home when the house was quiet and it bothered me especially when trying to fall asleep.

One morning I went outside to try to track down the source and my ears led me to a noisy electrical transformer on a pole nearby. I complained to BC Hydro and to their credit they sent a crew to investigate right away. No follow up though so I assume, and have read, that transformer hum is normal.

Next time at the cabin I heard the hum again. Strange because there is no power at the cabin and I started to think that it could be in my head, i.e., low frequency tinnitus. So I installed an audio spectrum analyzer app on my phone and there it was, as shown in the screenshot above.

At least I know the hum is real and not in my head. I am learning to ignore it.

About one year ago I started the development of a wildlife pond. In this recent photo you can see my progress since completing the build last year. I added a rebar tripod from which hangs a very nice wind chime. This adds vertical structure and sensory interest. I planted group 2 clematis vines to grow up each rebar. They are young but you can see one pink flower, and maybe you can imagine the future.

There are now lots of pond plants: oxygenators in the water, emergents, floaters, and marginals like the irises that are in flower above. While I hope that the plants spread themselves, it looks pretty good, very pond-like, as it is. Most of the wildlife lives beneath the surface of the water. It is a fascinating ecosystem comprising a jungle of creatures that are fun to observe.

This BC tree frog is king of the pond. He arrived in April and I still see him almost daily. I was on the watch for spawn then one night mid-May he finally got lucky.

The next day I saw little clusters of frog eggs and a week later they started to hatch. Now my wildlife pond is complete although it will continue to evolve, as will the tadpoles to become froglets in a couple of months.

The pond is a popular bird bath also. Unfortunately, earlier in the year a raccoon decided it was a good latrine and the pond water quality suffered quickly. At first I put up a temporary barrier which the raccoon defeated easily and looked terrible as well. The current solution is working for now.

That was the first test of the motion activated sprinkler. The raccoon has stealthily returned for a drink but not for a poop, yet.