Meanwhile two or three of our more advanced froglets have taken over Rupert's post on the rock by the edge of the pond. Their view of the world has been short lived at times, as Gertrude, who has a fine set of back legs, but no front legs yet, repeatedly launches herself onto the rock sending the froglets flying. She just can't wait to get those front legs and sit proudly half in, half out of the water.
I realise that I haven't got around to telling you who we are. We are European Common Frogs (Rana temporaria) though unfortunately the loss of many of the UK's farm ponds means that we are not so common these days. Here's some pictures of our parents in the big pond to give an idea of what we will grow up to be like in three or four years.
Our parents came from a neighbour's pond, where our family have been living for may years. But this spring it got just too crowded - at one point there were eleven adults singing around the pond. So our parents decided to move. They had investigated the main pond in this garden some years before, but its high walls and limited vegetation made it tricky to get back out of.
This year things had improved. There are still some pretty big fish to contend with, but half the surface is now covered with lily pads that make it easy to jump out of the pond, and give great shade to doze under.
Our parents have been joined by two juveniles and they say that this garden is a pretty good place to stay. Apart from the pond there is a small bog garden and a varied range of ground hugging plants to hide under. Many gardens around here are lifeless expanses of concrete or tiles. Here the small lawn and flower beds give a good supply of insects and scrumptious snails. With high fences that keep out the cats and foxes I'm beginning to really look forward to exploring the outside world.
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