The Giant Green Frog

The Giant Green Frog

Hundreds of beautiful, slimy, green frogs live in the water reeds at Hume Lake.  They sing a song that is rich with low tones of nature.  They will sing as long as they are left alone.  This summer I paddled my kayak into their waters and sat quietly for long periods of time.  When I was very still for three or four minutes, one of the enormous soloists would begin his throaty rumble.  Soon, with precise rhythm, a few others would join him.  When my silence continued for another moment or two, the chorus would begin.  One dip of my paddle and the whole musical would cease.

This green frog had the most beautiful eyes I'd ever noticed on a creature.  The prominent eye-ball above the skin's surface was the first thing that caught my attention.  Frogs spend most of their lives in the water, watching.  I wondered how different my day would be if I were to spend most of my moments watching.  

The iris of the frog's eye was a dark brown with a ring of brilliant gold on the edges.  The colors were absolutely captivating!  When the frog would blink, an "eyelid" from the bottom of the eye would come from below and cover the entire eye.  I wanted to see this happen a few times, so I tried various things to make him "blink" but to no avail.  He only blinked when he wanted .

Holding a large frog is like holding jello, but nicer.  He stared at me, and I looked long and hard at every detail of his mouth, nostrils, and ear disks.  Three legs were tucked under his body, and one dangled casually as if he were quite at his leisure.