Time to go!

   For the past few months, the Frog Pond has been an active place.  The American Toads were the first to pay the little pond a visit.  They come (as do the others) to mate and lay their eggs in the fresh water that the pond provides.  American Green Tree Frogs, Leopard Frogs and Bull Frogs come in shifts after the toads.  With the first warm nights and thence afterwards for the entire summer, the little pond is filled with eggs and tadpoles.  This used to be a goldfish pond.  Then when the goldfish escaped during Hurricane Katrina, it became a Dragonfly Pond.  The toads and frogs eventually took over and I gave up trying to have anything else.  The small concrete pond became the Frog Pond. This suits me fine as I enjoy hearing the chorus of calls each evening.  

  I was out back this morning when I noticed that some of our tadpoles were escaping the confines of the small pond.  Hundreds of little froggies were climbing up the sides of the pond.  There they sat sunning themselves before heading out into the vast and sometimes treacherous world ahead of them.  There are all sorts of predators that would love to dine upon frog legs even if those frog legs are teeny-tiny.  Each of these tiny tots were rather large tadpoles just two days ago when I last checked. A few had their back legs but most were still "legless".  It is amazing how quickly they develop into frogs!  

  Now these guys will hop around the garden until they are large enough to make their way down to the creek and bayou. A few will actually make the trek against all odds.  Birds, coons, 'possums, lizards, snakes and even other frogs will snatch them up given a chance.  Invariably, a few will make it safely and then hike it back up the hill as adults to start the cycle all over again.  It seems that the Frog Pond is the nursery of choice for a good many of the local frogs and toads. Perhaps I should have made it a bit larger to house all of the infants left in its care!  Let the nightly chorus begin!  The romantic serenade of froggy love is filling the night air!