At twilight each night, starting sometime in March if the weather is just right, the air is filled with the cri-ck-ick-iick of little frogs. They sing with a desperation I struggle to put to words, but it is clear that they will sing and sing until love comes their way.
I never understood the Bible's "Plague of Frogs." An archeologist friend of mine says that a thunderstorm or waterspout probably lifted an army of them and dropped them all over Egypt.
I may have written about how my family saved tadpoles and froglets and toadberts in the Catskills when I was a kid. After we did, we had fewer mosquitoes, more toads and frogs, and a lot of amphibian choruses in our area.
They make good pets...they stand around in their terrariums, look fierce, really aren't, eat bugs, and enjoy life.
Frogs and toads do that...when I was working in Florida, I lived in a housing complex on the edge of some lakes, and it was full of toads...they sang at night.
Love this. Makes me think about how for us humans, maybe we can say that when queerdos and other marginalized folks are singing in safety, it’s a sign that it’s safe for everyone.
Loved this. I too have let my lawn go to moss. I love it. The skunks and moles and birds harvest some of it for their nests every year. I haven't found a frog in my yard yet but would love to. It is still too urban here in West Van. I miss the sound of frogs in the evening. Thanks for writing this.
Beautiful!!! My next step is to try to replace what little lawn we have left with something better. We've tried to rewild for several years, but the yellow rattle never takes and even though we rotovated in year one and took away the topsoil, we've still got lawn grass back again and again, (where it now does at least mingle with local wild grasses and wildflowers). We've been unsuccessful with camomile lawns too, but a gardener tells us that we might have more success replacing lawn with another wild herb carpet. Every season a learning season, eh? Ribbit!
Every yard or garden is it's own little microclimate and microenvironment, and it can take time to find a balance that works with the local flora and fauna. Don't give up!
We're excited that we've recently met a local gardener who specialises in sustainable and local planting. Thinking that spending the money for a couple of advice sessions with her could be very worthwhile. You're absolutely right about the hyperlocal nature of our ecosystems.
This vision is prettier than a picture, Robin! I used to have a book called "The Wildlife Gardner" all about attracting critters - I still think about it.
I grew up for a period in Renton. So many tadpoles. One day an odd wriggling fishy thing. The next morning hind legs!!!!!!! And still the tail. Then no tail! Then a frog!!! Who does that!?!!!!
Such great yard mates for a kid. I hadn't appreciated just how much these little troopers instilled a sense of awe in tiny me. It's still in there, somewhere. Thanks Robin. This truly was an unexpected treat.
Well if you know the area well then you can also geek out with me about anadromous fish who start out in fresh water, swim out to live in saltwater, then swim back into freshwater to spawn again. That's like a person being able to breathe our regular oxygen/nitrogen mix suddenly opting to jump into an exclusively carbon dioxide environment FOR FUN. Who does that???
I was not expecting a post about frogs to be so beautiful. Thank you for this, Robin. The paragraph about the frogs signaling safety to the rest of you was so heartwarming.
I spent a year as an exchange student in rural Indiana. Corn and hogs, but not many frogs (it was 40 years ago, so maybe there were.) Thank you for this lovely essay. I am dealing with, or trying to gently discourage, ants inside my second floor inner-city apartment.
A very nice essay about nature Robin. It is sad that more areas can't be left in their natural state. There is something about the white race that they feel the need to control everything. Of course, using chemicals is really a stupid thing to do. Nature knows best.
There's a lot of appeal in control. It makes us feel safe and special and immortal. It doesn't work, but those feelings are what we cling to. Letting go of that control can be hard and scary and so worthwhile.
Frogs and toads are pure goods.
I never understood the Bible's "Plague of Frogs." An archeologist friend of mine says that a thunderstorm or waterspout probably lifted an army of them and dropped them all over Egypt.
I may have written about how my family saved tadpoles and froglets and toadberts in the Catskills when I was a kid. After we did, we had fewer mosquitoes, more toads and frogs, and a lot of amphibian choruses in our area.
They make good pets...they stand around in their terrariums, look fierce, really aren't, eat bugs, and enjoy life.
I love anything that looks fierce but really isn't and still sings you to sleep.
Frogs and toads do that...when I was working in Florida, I lived in a housing complex on the edge of some lakes, and it was full of toads...they sang at night.
Love this. Makes me think about how for us humans, maybe we can say that when queerdos and other marginalized folks are singing in safety, it’s a sign that it’s safe for everyone.
"They sing with a desperation I struggle to put to words, but it is clear that they will sing and sing until love comes their way."
This line is so beautiful. And I grew up in Indiana, too. :)
Loved this. I too have let my lawn go to moss. I love it. The skunks and moles and birds harvest some of it for their nests every year. I haven't found a frog in my yard yet but would love to. It is still too urban here in West Van. I miss the sound of frogs in the evening. Thanks for writing this.
Love this. Grew up in Sacramento, California we had little frogs too and I loved when they would show up!
Beautiful!!! My next step is to try to replace what little lawn we have left with something better. We've tried to rewild for several years, but the yellow rattle never takes and even though we rotovated in year one and took away the topsoil, we've still got lawn grass back again and again, (where it now does at least mingle with local wild grasses and wildflowers). We've been unsuccessful with camomile lawns too, but a gardener tells us that we might have more success replacing lawn with another wild herb carpet. Every season a learning season, eh? Ribbit!
Every yard or garden is it's own little microclimate and microenvironment, and it can take time to find a balance that works with the local flora and fauna. Don't give up!
We're excited that we've recently met a local gardener who specialises in sustainable and local planting. Thinking that spending the money for a couple of advice sessions with her could be very worthwhile. You're absolutely right about the hyperlocal nature of our ecosystems.
This vision is prettier than a picture, Robin! I used to have a book called "The Wildlife Gardner" all about attracting critters - I still think about it.
I grew up for a period in Renton. So many tadpoles. One day an odd wriggling fishy thing. The next morning hind legs!!!!!!! And still the tail. Then no tail! Then a frog!!! Who does that!?!!!!
Such great yard mates for a kid. I hadn't appreciated just how much these little troopers instilled a sense of awe in tiny me. It's still in there, somewhere. Thanks Robin. This truly was an unexpected treat.
Well if you know the area well then you can also geek out with me about anadromous fish who start out in fresh water, swim out to live in saltwater, then swim back into freshwater to spawn again. That's like a person being able to breathe our regular oxygen/nitrogen mix suddenly opting to jump into an exclusively carbon dioxide environment FOR FUN. Who does that???
And the physical feats they engage in to get back to where it all started and where it will end for them, and for each successive generation.
I can't help but wonder if they have any idea of what will be required of them to keep the chain unbroken.
Love this -- and the questions it raises.
I was not expecting a post about frogs to be so beautiful. Thank you for this, Robin. The paragraph about the frogs signaling safety to the rest of you was so heartwarming.
And I had to laugh at “groundhog asshole.” 😂
If you'd like to meet my groundhog I'll send him your way...
I spent a year as an exchange student in rural Indiana. Corn and hogs, but not many frogs (it was 40 years ago, so maybe there were.) Thank you for this lovely essay. I am dealing with, or trying to gently discourage, ants inside my second floor inner-city apartment.
A very nice essay about nature Robin. It is sad that more areas can't be left in their natural state. There is something about the white race that they feel the need to control everything. Of course, using chemicals is really a stupid thing to do. Nature knows best.
There's a lot of appeal in control. It makes us feel safe and special and immortal. It doesn't work, but those feelings are what we cling to. Letting go of that control can be hard and scary and so worthwhile.
40 years ago you and I shared a state without realizing it. I also recall the corn and hogs and not much else. Monotony.
As for the ants, maybe you should consider hiring a mediator to find common ground. Or buy them a lollipop.