Leaving the Frogs behind..:014:

[Catherine]

Today was just that bit milder than others this week, so I decided to empty the small water features so I could clean it ready for my new home. I knew there were two Frogs in it, so I took the utmost care...

When I lifted off the heavy urn cover, I realised the water was quite stagnant. Yeukk! But Frogs don't seem to care about that.....

As I slowly and carefully drained the eater from the base, using a small, light, plastic jug ... I realised there were more than two Frogs there - there were 3 .... then 4.... then FIVE!

So I was turfing 5 dear little Frogs out of their happy home..... I feel really cruel and heartless now!

[Catherine]

I tried to coax them away from the open area that the absence of the pond left behind, but I think some were a bit too sleepy....
like this one....https://www.flickr.com/photos/nm8/38...posted-public/


What amazed me was the variety of colours on their skins. One was clearly green, another basically yellow, another reddish brown - while the remaining two were a sort of dark sludge colour!

[rolf]

That's a shame Catherine, but I would have thought that it wouldn't have been insulated enough for overwintering, don't they like to bury themselves in the mud?

[Catherine]

It's a very sheltered corner and the water is quite deep - about 6" I think - so they have managed every winter there before now. I thought there were only two there, but had counted 5 earlier in the summer when they were amongst the plants, The water gets warmer when the pump is working too - and it's kept under the urn part.

I was amazed by the size and colour variety. Yet I guess they are all Common Frogs!