Frogs Only Please.....

[Shoestring Ponder]

I have lost of Dragonflys and Damselflys that hover over the kiddy pool as well. I was going to get rid of the kiddy pool as I bought a smaller one w/o a crack in it, but this one keeps of producing the tiny plants. I would not mind if it grew in my pond, but the fish never allow it to be present for more then 10 minutes! LOL It is definitely a natural food for my fish.

:goldfish:

 

[CountryEscape]

Oh, then I might not have to worry about it with the koi. Goldfish tend to not be as bad of grazers as the koi, or do you have goldies? I have the same kiddie pool, too! Did you leave them in that all winter, and they came back, or in your pond? That's amazing if they overwintered in that little amount of water, which even with our mild winter last year, it still would have frozen solid many times.

 

[Mucky_Waters]

Mucky, I tend to agree with Haro. I've seen my leopard frogs easily jump 24" in one stride. The bullfrogs go a long ways, too. There was a time that one jumped from the near side of the koi pond to over halfway across it before it hit the water, and at that point, it's 8' across. I know that sounds unreal, but those legs are made for jumping. I think your frogs are hoping you will feed them before you put them back in the pond. Plus, they are likely finding bugs on your patio during the night, so might be a good thing to let them stay out all night. And, if there are none there in the a.m. .... maybe they jumped back. But, I would be with you and return them to the pond if for no other reason, than to try to keep them there for your benefit. That frog looks like he's staring at the crickets, hoping one will come out of the "shell".

I usually don't intervene with their nightly forays into the courtyard patio, but I do try and get them all picked up in the morning. I have missed them a couple times and found them later in the day, by then they are starting to look a pretty dehydrated.

It's one thing to jump 24" horizontally, they could do that easily, but to jump that vertically is something else. I have chased them around the courtyard a bit when catching them, so they have had lots of opportunities to make the 18" jump to the safety of the pond and a clean getaway, but they've never come close to even trying.
I think I might start putting some kind of ramp out there for them to use, so if we ever go away for a few days maybe they'll know how to use it by then.

 

[CountryEscape]

Good idea, Mucky. They wouldn't have to have a ramp, just a step or few stones strategically placed. Maybe stack some type of landscape stones that would compliment your patio and wall, and place plants on them. The frogs can then use the stones and plant pots to get to and from the pond.

 

[Figgy]

Hey, Figgy, what type of plant is that the baby frogs are on? It looks like it could be invasive, but also looks like it has a healthy root system and multiplies well,and covers the area pretty densely. I'd like to check into getting some, if it's available in the States.

I will dig out the label that came with the pond plant later this evening as I can't remember off the top of my head what it's called. It is definitely invasive though if left as I've already trimmed it back several times.

 

[Shoestring Ponder]

CountryEscape,

The "slide" kiddy pool was that way over the winter and the FrogBit and Duck Weed have emerged from the muck they overwintered in. They reproduce very fast which is why they are considered invasive...but my GF and 1 Koi do not give it a chance to overtake my pond. They gobble up the greens just like their food! They love the stuff and the only time there may be any left is when it gets caught on the floating Hyacinth.

:goldfish:

 

[CountryEscape]

OK, thanks a lot, Shoestring! I'll have to check that out. Was going to browse the local garden store, but they are closed today, darn it! Guess they deserve to be off for the 4th, too, but I wanted to check and see if they had any lotus plants, and would have checked out the water plants as well. Probably should just stay inside today, though. Darn it, it's HOT out there! Need to plant the "closeout" plants I got yesterday, though, and water hanging baskets. Just a little at a time in this heat and humidity.

 

[SE18]

happy to see froggy post still hoppin popular

Here's my tree frogies at night and birds in a.m. from my deck several days ago; in 2:08 you will see a plastic container that contains our deck chair cushions. In the a.m., the two tree frogies you hear, will crawl into that container and go to sleep during heat of the day (also all winter). Then at dusk, they will scoot out and each froggy will occupy a separate tree.

Hope you like

 

[j.w]

Love the sounds of the frogs and birds SE and cute how they go beddy bye in your deck container each day and then out to their own tree at night to sing you to sleep!

 

[CountryEscape]

Neat sounds, SE18. The little green tree frog I posted stays under the hot tub cover at my sister/BIL's house. Guess he likes both the warmth and wetness of that area.

 

[CountryEscape]

OK, I was just outside taking pics of a dragonfly, standing on his head no less (ok, I'll post it, but don't get mad since this is a frog site!) and saw a frog junk from the pond, up to the top of the purple flower in this pic, and grab a bug! That is 18" up from the water, and at least 18" from the water toward the flower, and sitting on a lily pad for jumping platform!

And, here's the dragonfly, standing on his head. I followed this guy to take his pic in several different spots, and each and every time he landed in this position. Maybe the heat? It's 104 here right now ....

 

[j.w]

Well just hope I am not supposed to be able to see the frog or else I think I am going frog blind! That's a pretty good jump.

Hey maybe that dragonfly is just saluting the flag today for our birthday celebration CE

 

[Figgy]

Hey, Figgy, what type of plant is that the baby frogs are on? It looks like it could be invasive, but also looks like it has a healthy root system and multiplies well,and covers the area pretty densely. I'd like to check into getting some, if it's available in the States.

Okay I found the label.

It's a Starwort Callitriche and is classed as oxygenating. There's a Union Jack flag in the corner of the label which I think means its native to the Great Britain.

The description on the back reads "A submerged oxygenating plant, callitriche has masses of small, bright green leaves that eventually reach the surface and spread into attractive mats. Provides excellent cover for young fish and other aquatic life. Plant in a small or medium container using aquatic soil, covering with pea gravel. Place in the deepest part of pond."

Hope that helps.

 

[CountryEscape]

Wow, that sounds like a very neat plant, indeed, Figgy. Wonder if it is available in the U.S. I'll have to search for it. The fact that it says specifically to plant in the deepest part tells me that it is hardy and will come back year after year, and since your weather is similar to mine, it must!
Oh, and JW, that frog is NOT in the picture. I was just showing the distance from the pond to the flower, as I saw the frog jump, and THEN took the pic. Sorry about that, your eyes are still doing just fine ..... But, yes, I think that dragonfly is saluting for sure! My BIL says he's in training for the Summer Olympics in gymnastics. LOL

 

[SE18]

forgot to mention that we had a big storm June 29 last week, with 70mph winds bending trees. During storm height our 2 froggy friends were chirping up a storm, clinging to their favorite trees. In the video I posted you will notice that each frog has a slightly different tone (higher and lower frequency).