As the air turns cooler, we start to ready the pond for winter. It's a time for slowing down, preparing for the cold slumber that is winter. Plants are pulled--put in containers for overwintering indoors, tossed into the compost bin, or clipped and sunk to the depths of the pond for hibernation with the frogs. While the leaves wither and die, the frogs clamor for every possible beam of warm sunshine, hoping to catch one last bee or butterfly to prepare for a long resting period ahead. They don't mind as they, like the fish, go into hibernation mode--a period of little or no movement and no need for sustenance. Neon green frogs are now a muddy brown, chubby from eating at every opportunity. It's funny and sad to see them before they hunker down deep under ice and snow, and yes, I will miss and worry about them.
Winter is hard here and I am always saddened to shut the pond down for the winter. We brought the fish in for the winter already--they are in a tub in the laundry room. I dread the maintenance of having fish in the house and they dread having to be so visible to the humans, preferring to be hiding outside in their algae-filled oasis. Hobbes is the only one who loves to have them in, but that is only because it gives him one more place to drink water other than the water bowl in the kitchen.
I miss my two big frogs that left me this year and I wonder if I will still have the six come spring. I've learned the hard way to close off the skimmer so we don't have a repeat of the Great Frog Disaster '08, when 5 frogs decided to party in there for the winter. Uh, it wasn't really a great place to hibernate--they were permanently hibernated or otherwise known as dead. Ick. So, we sort of shut off the turnpike to death by blocking the skimmer.
The minnows will stay out in the pond all winter, keeping the frogs either company or full. They are hardy fellows as I learned last winter that the scallywags (who avoid the evil fish net) can actually survive the winter out in the pond. And being that I saw that we have like a hundred minnows out there, there is no way I could possibly bring them in. Summer out in the pond was good to this bunch, they were breeding like.....well, minnows.
So, although I'm not shutting the waterfall off just yet, I am shutting the pond down slowly. All too soon, the water will be still and the yard will be quiet. I will watch for the frogs and make sure the fish are fed as long as possible. We'll put the heater in another month or so to keep an air hole open for oxygen exchange. How they survive like that is beyond me, but it works.
I'll miss the pond pallies and I will watch and worry that they are safe during their slumber. It is hard to let Mother Nature take it's course when you a Mom. As much as I trust her, Mother Nature doesn't always look out for her brood like I do. She's a working mom and can't fuss over every sniffle, but that's okay--I'll help her out the best I can.
31 comments:
I absolutely love reading your posts...you have such a gift! I especially love the way you wrote that Mother Nature is a Working Mom and can't fuss over ever sniffle. That was clever!
I am the fuss-over-every-sniffle kind of Mom...I go outside and look at my plants and wonder if they'll survive. Miraculously, most of them do; it is just amazing to me. Hopefully, your little frogs and minnows will do the same. No more froggy disasters this year! :)
I never knew what happened to frogs over the winter. That's interesting. I can't wait to meet your new batch in the spring.
I love that frog photo, they look like they're smiling at you.
I hope to big a pond next year. They add such beauty to a garden.
I honestly had no idea that frogs hibernated. I really didn't know what they did when it turned cold! Now I know :) Have a great day!
Jen
This was a sad but lovely post. It sounds like a lot of work, but your rewards are innumerable.
Be well, little froggies and all your pallies! Stay warm and safe, and we'll see you ALL in the spring.
It certainly is amazing the way that those frogs and fish can hibernate through the long winter! I always worry about the deer in the winter that live in our area, wondering how they survive in the snow and cold, scrounging for every bite of food, and being able to keep from freezing to death. I guess in nature it certainly is survival of the fittest! You must get excited to see those froggies emerge from the pond each Spring!
Awesome picture!
Have a great day LINNY :)
Love you!
I too love the Mother Nature comment. Do you have any orange frogs??
LOL!!! checking under the covers as we speak...frogs creep me out soooo bad
Saying goodbye to warm days is so difficult and I feel just like one of your frogs searching for the warmth that is rapidly disappearing.
What a wonderful way you have with words.
Aww, I'm feeling sad for your froggy friends. I have no idea how they survive the cold winter, hibernation has always thrown me for a loop.
I enjoy your posts so much. I didn't realize that frogs hibernate. Very interesting. I'm sure it's sad getting the pond ready for winter but come spring, it'll be so fun to see everything come back to action again.
I hope none of the frog pallies get permanently hibernated. See you all next Spring!
I hope your froggies make it over the winter. You pour so much love into them.
It's a shame they can't hop to Florida for the cold season.
heh heh hop. heh heh
You painted a great visual picture. I can see the pond slowly shutting down getting ready for winter.
I think it's very sweet how much you've come to care for your little pond friends. I didn't realize that you went to these lengths to help them through the winter. I like it.
I love fall but I know that you will miss your little critter friends!
I am always happy the beautiful pond on the school's property (my employer)leaves the fish in to hybernate. When Mother Nature decides to treat us to a warm winter day the fish pop out from the cave and stretch their fins.
I so love your frogs (and there photos) that I thinking I should sneak into the school yard next spring and plant a few tadpoles.
I also wish I new the magic trick to stop these cool mornings...my coat and recess just didn't go well together the last two days :-(
Great photo. How do you get them to pose so nicely?
you are really unique writer.I really love the way you right. Thanks!
A.Marie--I'm a fussy mom too, but I think that's the best kind, don't you? I've learned to expect some loss with both fish and frogs, so that is why I don't name them. And I keep my fingers crossed.
DG--And that is always the dilemma come spring--to get a new tadpole or not to? Frogs have a tendency to hop away, so come next April, I may have 6 frogs and by June only 1 or 2. I usually sneak 1 or 2 tadpoles in--I just don't tell Joe. :)
Jennifer--I think you will LOVE having a pond, although I can't say it isn't some work. It has been the best thing we have done to the house by far. And I love how the frogs smile too!
Jen--They bury themselves in the mud and leaves at the bottom of ponds and lakes typically. But because we have a liner, they just hunker down in the folds of the liner and stay submerged. If there is a warmer day in early spring, you will see their little faces pop up for some air, but not often.
JD--It's not much work now that I know what to do--it was the trial and error period that was hard and frustrating. At least I know to block the skimmer now!
Hot Rocks--I would hate to be near the deer because like you, I would worry about them too! I can only worry about so many animals at a time. :) And yeah, I'm really happy when I see that all of the frogs have survived the winter.
Abby--Love you too, Abby!
Helene--Thanks! And no, no orange frogs....yet! Hobbes is working on it though.
Roschelle--Really?! That is sooo funny! They won't do anything to you, but I know someone else who is afraid of them. Me, I don't like monkeys, so I get it.
Mtn Woman--Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I'm grasping at the last of the warm days too--I really miss having the pond running and all the life that inhabits it all summer long. I really miss them.
Casey--I kind of hibernate though too, in a sense. We all sort of slow down here in the winter. Do you feel that in Florida??
Beaded Tail--We used to bring the frogs in each winter to keep them alive, but it lengthens their lifespan to hibernate, believe it or not. It was funny to see them sitting still in their tanks and come spring they would come alive again, croaking in the family room!
Daisy--Yeah, me too because that was one icky mess to clean up! Ick!
Pricilla--They actually prefer to hibernate, so I don't feel bad. In a way, I would like to sleep all that snow and cold away too. They've got the right idea!
Merry--It's funny to see the pond go through the seasons too. I don't think people realize how the water changes and the inhabitants have their own way of coping. I cannot imagine all the cool things happening in "real" lakes and ponds. I should have been a biology major. Sigh.
Violet--We used to catch the frogs when it was freezing (their metabolism slows and they are easier to catch) and bring them in for the winter. We'd keep them in tanks in around the house and feed them crickets. That was a ton of work and I found out they need to hibernate to extend their lives--so out they stay!
Jo--It is sad to say good-bye to everyone and hope they make it through the ice and snow. I'm such a "mom"!
Jodi--Frogs would be a great addition to the pond because they can handle the cold. But you must have a heater or bubbler for air exchange or they will die. The pond cannot freeze solid. Whatever you do, DON'T get a turtle. They are a ton of work and you have to bring them in. Ugh. I hear they are a pain.
Lola--They are professionals, Lola.
Msymond888--Thank you, new pally! I'm glad you stopped by. :)
Lin- No more turtles for us at school! My co-worker gave a bunch of teachers these little tiny baby turtles, the size of quarters...one of our second grade teachers had to give her turtle to another teacher, the dam thing ate the sibling turtle's leg off. Who know turtles could be canabolistic, LOL.
Wow...how hard to have pets (loved ones) that you have to let go of for half of the year. And it's not even like your sending them off to boarding school (you actually love them-j/k) you can't SEE them for so long. Ug.
It's so interesting to read about things that I have no idea about. Here in Florida, I almost wish the frogs would take a break for a while. There are some chunkers that just sit by my front door...
You put so much work into your pond pallies -- I'm sure they care about you as much as you care about them.
Jodi--The guy at the reptile told me once: Frogs have very tiny brains and big legs--can't expect much from them. I think turtles are the same way--they only see movement and cannot distinguish what they are eating. Frogs can be cannibalistic too. Movement equals food. Okay, so it's my brother, so what?
Nancy--I've learned with the frogs and fish that they cannot be "pets". I do not name fish anymore and I have never treated the frogs as pets--it's easier when they leave. But it's never easy when they die or get eaten. I do worry about them in the pond though. Can't help it, I'm a mom. :)
Cute--Nah, they don't give a hoot about me, and that is okay. I know it is my job to put some frogs back in the world and so I do. I've learned a lot about fish and frogs while having the pond--it is like a giant biology project!
I realized that it's been exactly a year since we 'met'! You were describing the approaching winter and I was mesmerized by your frog tales!!
I hope your froggies make it thru the winter.
Cheer up Lin :) New seasons are coming and soon it will be spring again :)
Veronica--It's our anniversary??! WOW! How did you remember that? I'm glad we are pallys, Veronica--you are the BEST!
Vanilla7--We've got a LONG way to go yet, Vanilla. Long way. Real long. Sigh.
How do you keep up with everything? Fish in the house, hibernating fish and frogs, heaters and whatnot. Whew, you definitely are Mother Nature's helper.
Petula--Actually the heater in the pond helps keep the minnows and frogs alive while they hibernate. This was a great (and easier) alternative to bringing them in for the winter.
Your Hobbes story is just great!! I also have cats that cannot resist water. Neither have fallen it, yet. The parts of your posts about fall falling are, in my book, part of the "melancholy" category....sigh.
Post a Comment