Today was a beautiful first full day of spring. The sky was a vivid blue, a gentle breeze was blowing, and the temps were just right for a lightweight jacket. I met two friends at the park between our houses. We planned to take our dogs, as out of shape as we are, on a nice long walk by the creek. Our spirits were all high –both humans and dogs - so happy to finally be outside and moving.
We humans chatted as we walked and in a brief lull, I heard what sounded like a crowd of people off in the distance. I shushed my friends so we could identify the sound. We decided that the noise was coming from a large gaggle of geese further down the path and we continued on. A few yards further and the noise was much closer. We looked in the trees, wondering if the sound was coming from birds. Someone asked if it was mating season. We couldn’t tell if the sound was coming from the trees or the ground until we were right up on it. To the side of the path was a marshy area – the result of snow melt and a lot or rain. And in it was a Biblical quantity of frogs. Hundreds of them. Hopping around wildly and making a heck of a racket.
I’ve been walking near that creak for twenty years and have never come upon such a sight. I think we just happened to come upon them on just the right day of the year. I assume the frenzy was mating related. I’d say it’s going to be a good year for frogs in our neighborhood.