Predator Meets Predator

  For some reason, the critters here on the Bayou are having a difficult spring.  While the weather is incredibly "spring-like" in accordance to others' standards, it is a tad cooler than normal here.  I don't think this should be a critical factor in the lives of critters since it is not cold...just plumb nice!  As I said before, the songbirds are meeting with many predators and are being obliterated at a rapid pace.  So many nests are utterly destroyed by the predators.  
  
  But the birds are not the only ones facing trouble.  Today while out meandering the gardens, I noticed that the frogs are being their usual predatory selves as well.  While it is fine and dandy that they munch a lot of the bugs, I do wish they would leave the dragonflies in peace. Obviously, as soon as a nymph climbs up on the Elephant Ear Plants to morph into an adult dragonfly, one of the frogs attacks!  Before the dragonfly's wings dry enough to enable it to fly, the frog is munching down breakfast.  The surface of the pond's water is covered with the lacy wings minus the bodies. Sorry, frogs!  I need these dragonflies! Mosquitoes are literally eating me alive out here!

  In view of all of the recent threats of dire diseases carried by mosquitoes, the dragonflies are indeed a necessity.  Without these speedy divebombers, the biting insects will soon take over the place. Living on the Bayou is a bit different than living where the larvae can be controlled.  While it is all good to empty pools, buckets and old tires containing standing water, one just cannot empty a bayou.  The dragonflies have always kept things in balance.  Frogs do their part but the dragonflies are able to reach many more mosquitoes.  So...do the frogs go?  Something has to change...ponder, ponder.