Helene, Kam and I watched Holes last night after I returned from a couple days in Carrizo working at the MU Ranch and digging a BIG HOLE at the Hideout (The entire time I was digging, I was remembering that great book and movie). 
This new wildlife "guzzler" pond holds 400 gallons of much needed water for all of the wildlife in the Plain. I'm planning on adding some sort of rainwater catchment "roof" which will also provide shade to slow the evaporation rate. 
We may need to drill a well someday soon, but I can guarantee I won't be digging that hole with pick and shovel!
Fun to see that the Palo Verde Trees are full of seed pods. The seeds are supposed to be a tasty treat for the birds, squirrels and rodents. 

I just spoke with Paul Collins yesterday about the Bats in Carrizo and have reached out to the Sierra Club about assisting with the dried out Wildlife Guzzlers in Carrizo. 
This seems to bee our new reality...
http://www.independent.com/news/2015/jul/16/plants-and-animals-are-dying-drink/

This is our new 9x15' pond liner that I hope to have installed and filled with wildlife water soon.

I spent a couple days in 100+F splendor this past week up at the Hideout.
Did a bit more finish carpentry at the White House, installed the center front bay window in the Spartan, laid out the location for the wildlife pond, detailed and reinstalled the original stove/oven and finished reading "The Harder They Come" by T.C. Boyle.
On Tuesday, Craig Deutsche picked me up and we met up with Alden Loucks (grandson of Lou and Nancy Traver of the Traver Ranch that I caretake). He was the last one to farm the ranch in 1986 and a true Carrizo treasure. He led us around the entire Southern Caliente Range where he grew up and explored on his '46 English James motorcycle. What an amazing childhood exploring these hills! 
The sunset reflection on the new front window turned out amazing and I wish more of you could have been there to see it firsthand. I've never seen skies as beautiful as in Carrizo.