Mosquitoes beware, Pacific Tree Frogs are here!

We have tree frogs in the bog! The latin species name is Hyla regilla. This year we have had a bumper crop of tadpoles in the pond. On Thursday, I was told the frogs had started climbing out of the pond, so I went there to see. I found all the different life stages, except for complete tadpoles and tail-less frogs. The frogs are only about as big as your thumbnail, from head to toe.

Tadpole with hind legs

Tadpole with the head of a frog, and hind legs

wily coyotes and hummingbird babies

mother hummingbird feeds her baby
all photos copyright Gerry M

"I had quite the experience in the bog on Saturday afternoon. I was crouched on one knee on the platform waiting to snap a picture of the mother Anna's Hummingbird when she returned to feed her baby. I looked up when I saw a "dog" running towards me on the boardwalk and a cyclist riding close behind. I was just about to shout for him to put the dog on a leash when I realized it was a coyote. When the coyote saw me he turned to the cyclist, then back to me, and then jumped over the green plastic fencing in one bound. The picture is of the coyote scampering across the bog. Guess the fencing keeps dogs out but not coyotes.

    As you can see, I did get back to photographing the mother feeding her baby. It was as though my camera didn't want to provide me with a clear picture of mother and baby as all three I took were blurred. When the baby was alone the pictures were all crystal clear. However, for me, it was all worth the wait. It was a beautiful day in the bog.

    The nine volunteers who showed up for the work party on Saturday  worked really hard and got a lot done. We enjoyed the tea and goodies provided by Issaku.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the warm weather and each others company.  A job well done! "
                                                      -- Gerry M

baby hummingbird waiting for food

March 25th saw the first of the blueberry bushes flower and these might have been what the hummingbird was sipping from.  Imagine the sweetness of blueberry nectar.  no wonder the baby looks so content 

Dogs respect the dog fence (this photo: Susan)

not a dog 

    

skull in a scat

Gerry reports signs of a coyote in the bog

"On Saturday we will continue to prepare the area we have been working on for the past few months. With any luck we may get the area planted before the warm dry weather arrives.  The attached pictures, taken in the bog, of coyote scat show the remains of a small rodent. Can anyone identify the critter? Squirrel maybe?"  - Gerry 
(photos, by Gerry Mignault, below)