Finding Gilbert!

   A while back, I literally made friends with a frog.  "Gilbert", the Green Tree Frog, would often climb out of his perch in the light globe to sit next to me on the steps.  The first time was quite the surprise and I figured that the frog did not realize that I was there since I was sitting still watching the birds.  Then, the frog came again.  This time, I moved slightly to see if he would go back up into the light.  Nope.  Gilbert sat next to me on the steps.  After this went on almost daily for a couple of weeks, I decided to "pet" Gilbert.  The frog loved it!  So much so that he would sometimes fall asleep while I was stroking his little head.  Wow.  Who says critters don't have feelings??

  Lately, I have not seen Gilbert.  It saddened me to think that perhaps the rat snake had gotten my friend.  My coffee time in the mornings was not the same without my little buddy sitting there staring at me with his big orange eyes.  You know, one can grow attached to frogs.

  Well, this morning, I found Gilbert!  He had moved from the light globe to the large philodendron plant near the pond.  I was elated that the snake had not eaten my friend!  You are probably thinking "How does she know that this frog is Gilbert and not one of the million or so in the yard?"  I actually had doubts so I reached out and petted the frog.  It did not shy away from my hand and seemed to enjoy the attention.  So either this IS Gilbert or all frogs like to be petted which I highly doubt is the case.  If it is not him, I guess all Green Tree Frogs on the Bayou will just have to be named Gilbert.

Strange Things Are Happening

   Today has been blustery to say the least.  The high winds kicked the waters up a bit putting the pier almost underwater.  The marshes are flooded!  This causes me sadness because there are several species of birds that nest in the marshes and their nests are now completely submerged.  The same goes for the rabbits, lizards, mice and any other critters that normally nest even in the dry edges of the marsh line.  Some of these may have been alright had the tide rose then receded quickly but it has been unusually high all day.  Weather is crazy sometimes.

  Earlier while on the pier checking the mooring of the skiff, something odd was found.  A green tree frog was perched upon one of the stringer boards off the edge of the pier.  Little Froggy looked lost and I so wanted to reach down to rescue it.  Son had more logical ideas and convinced me that Froggy was perfectly fine where it was.  We checked the boat and on our way back up to the Little Bayou House, I once again commented that I needed to help Froggy.  At that very moment, Froggy did a flying leap into the water and swam to the marsh!  Oops!  Froggy must have overheard the conversation and was having no part of my "help".

  The frog population in the Bayou and marshes seems to have exploded.  Normally, the frogs were more apt to be found in the fresh water creeks and ponds but lately thousands have spread into the brackish waters.  This is not only tree frogs but bullfrogs, leopard frogs, green frogs, bronze frogs, Cajun frogs and just about any sort of frog or toad you wish to find can be heard at night.  Their songs are deafening now that there are so many.  This population explosion is strange, to say the least.

Froggy Sat

   While folks in other households were preparing to watch the football game, I was sitting on the steps conversing with a frog.  I figure I was doing something even more important than sitting for hours stuffing my gut with junk food and my brain with insignificant happenings.  At least, the frog is a lot more entertaining and a bunch cuter.

  This afternoon when the sun decided to warm up the place, I found that sitting on the front steps was delightful.  It did not take long before a friend joined me in the "sun-soaking".   A tiny green tree frog came out of its hiding place and sat on the weird moon lamp.  The lamp was right at my elbow so the frog was only a few inches from me.  This gave me the opportunity to study the entirety of the critter.  I was enthralled by the beauty of its eyes!  My goodness!  The eye was the color of polished copper but had the most unique bunch of squiggles throughout.  I promise...sometimes I thought I was seeing words or pictures in those squiggles!  Well, you know me.  I had to get a photograph of the froggy's eye.  I NEEDED an up close and personal photograph!  

  Never without the camera, I slipped on the macro lens and started work.  Froggy sat still.  The camera lens was literally about an inch and a half from the frog when I finally focused.   Froggy sat still.  Twenty three pictures later, I noticed that Froggy was dozing!  My little critter friend had complete trust that I would never harm him.  (In case it can be a learning tool, the bottom photograph shows the nictitating membrane (basically eyelid) that frogs have to protect their eyes.)

  After a bit, the sun started sliding down behind the pines and the air started chilling a bit.  It was time for me to head back inside and stoke the fire.  I reached over, stroked Froggy's little head and thanked him for the time spent.  I also told him to snuggle down in the hanging plant so he would be warm tonight.  (It is never a bad thing to show concern for your friends.)  I do believe my afternoon was far more interesting than being glued to a television set.  Froggy and I just sat still...and enjoyed each other's company.