More on the Subject...

 The overall theme of this past week seems to be that of all the sets of eyes that are on us while we go about our lives, completely unaware.  Now that I have a little more time, I thought we could talk about that little quacking, clown-faced amphibian group that visited the vernal ponds (long-lasting spring puddles) behind our compost piles.

If you didn't have a chance to view yesterday's quick video - you definitely missed out on a treat.  (If you missed it, you can see it HERE.). In all the years we have lived here on the our farm at the edge of the woods, this is the first time we have ever witnessed this incredible occurrence.  The timing was perfect - we were in the right place at the right time.  Although, quite honestly, the racket that these little creatures made was hard to miss!

Hubbs quickly identified these little visitors as ones belonging to a large group of true frogs - American Water frogs.  In this general group there are many types of frogs... including bull frogs and spring peepers.  These were not spring peepers.  Peepers have a much higher pitch to their song.  And peepers are a smaller frog.  The frogs that we found mating in our large compost puddle two nights ago were specifically wood frogs.  

Wood frogs are quite fascinating.  They have the ability to stop their hearts, produce a sugary substance within their blood and tissues that acts as antifreeze; and commit themselves to a state of frozen, suspended animation for the winter months.  Then, as the earth warms in early March, they re-animate and get busy with their most important task in life... mating.  

Yesterday morning, we went to inspect the pool of water in which we had seen them the previous night.  Not a single frog was visible - just a mass of individual clumps of eggs.

  These eggs will rise to the surface within the next week and about 3 days thereafter will hatch.  

Hubbs and I will make sure that this puddle does not dry out.  If our rainy season wanes, we will add water to the puddles to assure the little tadpoles have the opportunity to reach maturity.  Once they develop legs, they will head for the woodlands where they will spend the summer months feasting on insects and decaying leaves.  This is the only species of frog that also lives above the Arctic Circle!

The more I learn about each individual creature that I meet here on the farm, the more I am filled with awe.  This Earth, on which we get to live out our human lives, is nothing short of miraculous... in so many glorious, tiny ways!  And imagine what life would be like without all of these creatures that eat insects!

You've gotta love frogs!

Now that the weather is a little warmer, our woodsy walks are revealing more and more mushrooms.

  Every walk is like a scavenger hunt.  

We never know what might be growing on a stump, log, or freshly fallen tree.

stalked Puffball (from last year... spores already dispersed)

British soldier lichen

Orange jelly fungus in moss with greenshield lichen in the middle

Mossy maze fungus

Black fungus - one of the first to arrive on a newly fallen tree

I had such a wonderful morning, yesterday.  The temperature rose to the high 60's and I spent a little time out in the garden.  These two boxes are now planted... yellow onions, red onions, and a few rows of lettuces.

The greenhouse is getting a new roof today.  That means I will be able to get seeds started this weekend.  It's here!!  Gardening season has arrived!!

PS:  I received a request for my bath soak recipe.  Here you go:

1 cup Epsom salts (Magnesium Citrate)

½ cup Pink Himalayan salt crystals

¼ cup sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)

¼ cup finely chopped herbs of your choice (I used lavender, calendula petals and rosemary)

10 -20 drops of essential oil (I used lavender)

Mix together and place in dry, air-tight container.  Use ¼ cup per hot bath.

Other essential oils can be used to scent the salts... Bergamot, Chamomile, Lemon, Lemongrass, Mint, Eucalyptus, Orange are just a few.