Hmmm...all the eggs shared similarities but weren't the same. We had 2 pods that were formed into fist-sized clumps. Each contained transparent green eggs, about the size of salmon eggs encased in a thick clear jelly. (like tough jello) The entire clump was easily picked up by carefully lifting the stick from the water. We carefully placed the eggs in a small cooler filled with pond water.
Although I love frogs and salamanders, I'm not an expert. My admiration for these little guys comes more from gardening and my boys. Each year I've seen numerous frogs make their appearance on the blooms, leafs, and plants around my yard. The last 3 years have brought a drastic reduction in their appearance. This trend concerns me greatly. We have had quite a boom in construction in our local area, and several nearby acres of woods have been cleared. Small creeks and wetlands run through the cleared area. Although wetland and buffer zones marker were posted, it looks to me as if the area has been vastly diminished.
When my boys were only 6 and 9, they would make regular trips to the "frog pond", to check the status of the frog eggs and to watch the frogs hop and swim in the shallow water. Occasionally they would be lucky and fast enough to catch one. The boys would enjoy watching it on the grass for a short while and then set it free.
At that time, in my garden, I enjoyed seeing many of our local little Pacific green tree frogs. In fact several of the little green guys could be found in the same spot almost daily, year after year.
I was fortunate enough to find them quite frequently until about 3 years ago. Last year was the worst. I only saw a couple of tree frogs. I think it is a direct result of the trees being cleared.
When my son Josh told me that year after year, he watches the turtles, raccoons and birds eat the frog eggs, polliwogs, and froglets, we decided to save a few. I thought it would be exciting for the students at school to see the metamorphosis and then return them to Josh's pond. That's how I came upon the eggs. Now I feel a deep sense of responsibility to keep these little wogs healthy and happy until they can be on their own.
