It's that time of year when the frogs pop up to see if it is spring yet. They are hard to see amongst the dead leaves and grasses that float in the pond, but they are there, hoping the sun is warm, just like you and I.It is also the time of year that I dread with the frogs. I do a daily headcount, hoping that everyone made it over the long winter. I open the skimmer, slowly, for fear of what I may find in there. Every so often somebody sneaks in there thinking it is a good place to slumber. Yeah/no. I don't think there were any casualties this year.
When the frogs come up in spring, they are an icky black color. They need the warm sun and water to turn that lovely iridescent green color that I love. They are also pretty skinny. But that said, it is still good to see their faces breaking the surface of the water and hopping out to warm themselves on warm days. They are anxious for sunshine, flowers and butterflies just like we are.
Okay, Vanilla--here's your moment. How many frogs did I have in the fall? See, I can never remember, try as I might. I'm thinking it was 8, but I'm not sure. I'm counting on you, pally.
17 comments:
Is it frog time already? I wonder what they would do if they were indoors all year - in a proper environment of course - not hip-hopping around the house.
Yay! Frog time! I can't wait to see the first picture of one of this year's bad boys. Why is it that I automatically assume that all frogs are male? There would be no frogs anymore if that were true. There is just nothing feminine about a frog.
I was a big frog fan when I was a kid! We always had backyards ponds wherever we lived and I loved the croaking sound that they made on warm summer evenings. All of our ponds were self contained bio-systems so we didn't have to worry about pumps, but every once in a while the raccoons would come along and go frog fishing in the middle of the night. The raccoons always ended up trashing all the lilies and reeds. Thanks for sharing this about your little part of the world. It brought back nice memories for me! - G
I see little eyes!
Oh, dear. I've slept since last fall. But wait-- I see, I see eight frogs, I believe, counting Phyl's little guy. (In my memory, not in the picture.)
How many frogs do you usually have?
Goodness....you are ahead of me on frogs and I live in GA! What kind of frogs do you have in your pond?
Grace--Yep, frog time! :) We used to bring them all in for the winter. We had tanks all over this house and it was a PAIN! We'd be housing crickets too, to feed the frogs. Everyone will chillin' until February. Suddenly, we had some frog singing from all the tanks in the house. I learned that hibernation actually lengthens their lives, so leaving them out did us all a favor.
DG--This is the first summer in a long time that I have one male frog amongst a bunch of females. FYI--They are the only ones that sing--they call for the females. My females always hop away to find the boys, so I'm hoping everyone stays this summer. Babies, perhaps???
Georgina--We have a waterfall and a pump so the water is oxygenated and stays cleaner. Other than a bit of maintenance, it takes care of itself. We had a TERRIBLE time with raccoons tearing up our pond this summer. If you check my back posts, you can read about how we had to deal with them. I do not like raccoons. :(
Pricilla--Yep. :) It's nice to see them again.
Vanilla--I just checked, and yes, you are right! There are supposed to be 8. So far, I have only counted 5 or 6. Let's hope the rest pop up soon.
Karen--We had 8 last fall. I've only spotted 5 or 6 on a good night--so I'm hoping when it gets warm that all 8 are there.
Jean--Bullfrogs. We have one male that sings us to sleep each night. :) I usually go to the garden store and pick up a tadpole or two because my frogs hop away sometimes. We also get some frogs "passing through" as well. You never know from one day to the next how many we'll have.
Lin, we are having a thunder/lightening snow storm today...expecting 4 inches. It's been snowing since 1pm. Around here even the frogs have taken cover again. Sheesh! And a double uhg!!
Lin- OK- your froggies need to wait for it to be warm and then get busy making lots of more froggies.
Yay it's frog time already! Glad most of them made it and hope you find the last ones too. Hibernation is so amazing and it's wonderful you get to experience nature in your backyard!
Oh thank goodness it's frog time. That means spring really is on it's way. I was in the drug store right next to where I work the other day. Killing time while I was on lunch and looking at their gift section. What did I see? Frogs, and I instantly thought of you :)
Hooray ~ I'm so glad none of your frogs.....
wait for it....
croaked!!!!
Groannnnnn..... I just couldn't resist! :)
Here's hoping your froggies turn green soon!
xo Catherine
I had no idea frogs came out so early, brrrrr. We have peepers that sing their guts out all summer long (I love to hear them) but they are still skulking under the muck, I'm sure. It was only 18 degrees here today.
Jodi--what is with that???! Hopefully it won't stay too long as the sun is warmer these days.Still, that is one nasty mindf***, isn't it?
Sharky--Now that we have a male, that is what I am afraid of. I imagine I'll be skimming the surface and relocating frog eggs one of these days.
Beaded Tail--It's still cold, so I'm waiting for the really warm weather to see them all pop up. They just seem to know when the sun is warm again.
Ann--So, were the frogs shopping at the gift section too??? ;)
Catherine--I knew somebody was gonna say it! ;)
Rebecca--If the ice melts on the pond, they'll come up for air. And if the air is relatively warm, they'll climb out to sit in the warm sunshine. I don't blame them--I find myself in the warm sunshine these days too.
I can't believe that it is time for the frogs to wake up already!
Eep...frog counting can't be easy. I'm always so impressed by your telling them apart skills:) Crossing my fingers!
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