A Real Frog Pond

Frogs in a pond

A hungry mallard

When we stayed at TradeWinds five years ago, I could hear the bullfrogs at night and in the early morning. I looked for them in the frog pond, but all I could see were a few well-fed koi lounging lazily at the bottom of the pond.

This year, I’ve seen mallards and several frogs, including a big three-eyed guy that hasn’t missed too many treats in his lifetime. Today’s frogs were just hanging out, floating in the cool water near some large lily pads. I suppose the weight of one of them would sink a lily pad, so it’s just as well they seemed to be using the large leaves for shade and camouflage.

Some girls came by with the fish food that’s sold in vending machines, but neither the frogs nor the koi had any interest. A bout ten minutes after the girls left, a small mallard female landed in the pond and systemically made the circle, scarfing up every food pellet.

The frogs paid no attention to the mallard, and after she was sure the pond was thoroughly worked over, she flew away.