I am convinced that God brings things across our path so that we can delight in his creation more and learn to glorify him. We are forever finding incredible stuff in our back yard and each new discovery takes us in unexpected directions.
If "the heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims his handiwork", then my window wells are proof positive of his sense of humor.
Zoom in and see if you can count all of the toads. Don't forget the one half buried in the mud. We have three window wells. Only one of them is big enough to climb down into to rescue these guys, but we've gotten creative. It gets pretty silly when they don't want to be rescued. I've lost track of how many dozens we've pulled out (8 this morning), but it would do Pharaoh proud.
This year, we found someone new. This is a
Green Frog (identifiable by the fold behind her tympanic membrane and dorsal stripe. Don't worry. I had to ask too). She is about three inches long (males have a tympanum larger than their eye). Compared to the toads, boy, could she hop! High, far, and in unpredictable directions, thus causing delighted shrieks all around.
She found her way in, and out, of the girls' wading pool. I can't believe people eat frogs. Nu-uh. No way.
Several of our recent finds identified a hole in my library (don't gasp, it does happen). I did not have any kind of field guide for reptiles or amphibians. That problem has since been corrected. Hooray for Roger Tory Peterson!
Caper got to make a new friend too.
