Frog Songs

I recently read an article in Oxford American about these folks who go out to listen and record frog calls during the wee hours of the night. Apparently, here in Florida, frog species are diminishing greatly and researchers are discovering yet another consequence of urban sprawl. The article was a bit depressing but it was full of vivid descriptions of these riotous reptiles and the variety of their songs. I've since made it a point to listen carefully when I'm outside in the evenings, especially after a summer rain, and try to distinguish the different calls. Some frogs make a sound like glass marbles clacking together, while others chirp or groan. Another interesting fact I discovered in my reading is that Florida is being invaded by the Cuban Tree Frogs who are eating much of the native frogs. Weird.

I've always loved frogs and have fond memories of collecting the green tree frogs that gathered on our window next to the front door. One evening, after Wednesday church, we came home to find a ton of them on the window—sending my grandma and brother inside screaming. My brother's mission, upon our return was to take the bath he was SUPPOSED to have taken before church. He made the mistake of sitting on the pew in front of my grandmother, where she could clearly see the "pile" of dirt behind his ears. Needless to say, she nearly twisted his ear off and told him to go straight to the tub when we got home. I relished my brother's circumstances and took the opportunity to return a mere fraction of the torture he'd bestowed me on many previous occasions. I gathered as many frogs as I could fit in a mason jar and quietly opened the bathroom door and before he realized what was happening I dumped them all into his bath water...it was glorious...simply glorious!
After my brother ejected himself from the tub like a 4th of July bottle rocket, I was doubled-over laughing, holding an empty jar with rain frogs jumping all around me. I did get in a tiny bit of trouble, but it was well worth the "I'm disappointed in you" lecture from my grandmother, while Papa winked and smiled at me behind her back. Then, I carefully gathered all my lime green buddies and returned them safely to the great outdoors and went to bed early with the biggest frog-inspired grin on my face.