WHETHER IT WAS THE ELECTION NEWS, THE 60-PLUS TEMPERATURES, a question from a commenter named Mars about photographing the sleeping frogboys…or the fact that I had just told you they were spending the winter in a tissue box, the frogboys made themselves known the last two days, after two weeks AWOL. “We hear you,” they said with their eyes as they bobbed to the top again. “We’re listening, Margaret, even when you think we’re sleeping. Watch it.”
THE LECTURE that he’s been giving for a number of years is not-so-subtly called “Kill Your Lawn.” Ecological horticulturist Dan Jaffe Wilder knows that starting over and creating an entire native habitat instead of a lawn isn’t for everyone. But Dan just wants to grab our attention and get us to start to make some changes at least in the way we care for the turfgrass we do want in our landscapes. And maybe give up a little square footage of it to some other kind of more diverse planting, too, like the wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana, inset). Alternative, more eco-focused styles of lawn care, along with some lawn alternatives is what he and I talked about on the podcast. Dan is Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and its 8,000-acre sanctuary. He’s also co-author with Mark Richardson of the book “Native Plants for New England Gardens.”
(Stream it below, read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.)
Oh so handsome, your frogboys! The frogs in my pond are very shy and refuse to be photographed. They must have come up because the weather is so warm and I wonder if they think their winter nap is already over. A couple of days ago I had to stop and escort a very large snapping turtle across a busy street near my home. I’ve never seen one out in November before. I suppose they will all be settling in to sleep again soon. Thanks for the pic!
Hi, Nancy. Offer them a talent agreement with benefits and royalties…they will cooperate if there’s something in it for them. :)
Fabulous shot of the handsome green prince.
♥Rosemary
I love that picture.
LOL…now that is a handsome boy! Love that picture, seriously cool!
Those guys of yours are so special. Favorite one? Do you know any thing about cat nip that you could purchase in the pet stores? Safe for my boys? Anna
Welcome, Anna. My favorite boy of 2008 is the one shown on this post. Don’t tell the others I am playing favorites, or who knows what they will do to me. As for catnip, I think it’s fine, and I know there are organic sources these days.
Very handsome. I swear he is smiling.
Hi, is that a Toad? I had one snapping at my heels a couple of weeks ago, disturbed him in his under-ground burrouw as I was digging up a plant – GREAT picture!
It looks as if he is smiling, just one last look before he retires for the winter. I glad he let you share his smile.
I just love your frog pictures. And to put them on a tissue box?! That is too cool.
@Maree: He is a male bullfrog, not a toad. Big wonderful toads here, too…but this is not one.
Margaret, the frog boy pictures get better and better. Ouick, order another tissue box!
Margaret, I recently found your blog, after reading the article about you in The Washington Post. Your frog boys make me smile. :) Thanks for sharing them with us! What a fun mental picture for me, as I head out the door to take my dog for her walk.
Welcome, Melissa. The only drawback to the frogboys: They failed obedience school and simply will not cooperate w/the leash/walk routine. See you soon again I hope.
Oh awesome, Margaret!
Boy do I want to take credit here, lol! ;D But I suspect, like you, it was most likely a collective yearning to see them again.
OR maybe it was the election after all. That was pretty darn spectacular! I guess it doesn’t matter. We got our hello. Yay!