Last time we were together Tsolum Sid, a feisty young toad who lives in the Tsolum River watershed on Central Vancouver Island was reminiscing about the Spring flood that nearly flushed him and Bunny Beaver down the River faster than they wanted to go. The River overflowed her banks due to a combination of melting mountain snow and heavy Spring rains. River corridors can be dangerous at this time of year. Always be aware of your surroundings and rapidly changing weather conditions.
The days are getting longer and warmer. Tsolum Sid can hear the tree frogs chirping loudly from the pond in the field closest to his bountiful area of the River. Their proper name is Pacific Chorus frogs. Sometimes it is so loud that it wakes you up or prevents you from drifting off to sleep in the first place. Remarkable that these tiny creatures have such a loud voice. Sid knows it is also because there are so many of them gathering together for their annual Spring celebration. Sounds like the whole choir is here tonight!
The bountiful birds are squawking and settling down, tucked in safely for the night. Farnham Finch flits down to perch on a branch not far from Sid who is lounging in a makeshift hammock in the bush. “How’s Farnham today?” asks Sid sleepily. Farnham is a little jittery and easily excited, not just tonight but all the time. His small head bobs back and forth searching for any danger that may be lurking close by. “P-p-p-pretty good” stutters the nervous little bird. “I’m having trouble sleeping – the tree frogs are very noisy this year” he complains, twitching tersely. Sid happily replies “that’s a great sign. There must be lots of them.” Amphibians are an important indicator species for the health of the environment. Sid is very proud of that fact.
Farnham tweets sharply as he half hops, then glides to the small hemlock tree holding one end of Sid’s hanging bed. “How come you are not j-j-joining the chorus tonight Sid?” Farnham asks. Sid opens his mouth to respond but before he can Olive stealthily emerges from the River a few feet from slimy Sid and feathery Farnham. She stops to shake the water from her fur. Her actions have scared Farnham (it’s not hard to do!). He is unsure who is exiting the River so he flies to higher ground just in case he is considered prey.
Olive marches up into the forest smiling and laughing as she approaches Sid. “The frogs certainly are active tonight” Olive states. She enthusiastically flops down beside Sid sending air whooshing toward him causing his hammock to sway silently in the moonlight. Farnham glides back to his spot near Sid startling Olive this time. “Oh Farnham, you scare me” exclaims Olive. Sid can’t help laughing! “You two sure are nervous nellies.” Olive defends her actions by naming all the animals she might make a fine dinner for some day. Farnham pipes up “how do you think Sid and I feel? We’re really small and v-v-vulnerable.”
The daily chattering of the avians stops as dusk turns to darkness. Only the odd owl hoot disrupts the little green gang’s rhythmic croaking. The frog frenzy is intensifying as the moon masked by wispy clouds drifting by….
The days are getting longer and warmer. Tsolum Sid can hear the tree frogs chirping loudly from the pond in the field closest to his bountiful area of the River. Their proper name is Pacific Chorus frogs. Sometimes it is so loud that it wakes you up or prevents you from drifting off to sleep in the first place. Remarkable that these tiny creatures have such a loud voice. Sid knows it is also because there are so many of them gathering together for their annual Spring celebration. Sounds like the whole choir is here tonight!
The bountiful birds are squawking and settling down, tucked in safely for the night. Farnham Finch flits down to perch on a branch not far from Sid who is lounging in a makeshift hammock in the bush. “How’s Farnham today?” asks Sid sleepily. Farnham is a little jittery and easily excited, not just tonight but all the time. His small head bobs back and forth searching for any danger that may be lurking close by. “P-p-p-pretty good” stutters the nervous little bird. “I’m having trouble sleeping – the tree frogs are very noisy this year” he complains, twitching tersely. Sid happily replies “that’s a great sign. There must be lots of them.” Amphibians are an important indicator species for the health of the environment. Sid is very proud of that fact.
Farnham tweets sharply as he half hops, then glides to the small hemlock tree holding one end of Sid’s hanging bed. “How come you are not j-j-joining the chorus tonight Sid?” Farnham asks. Sid opens his mouth to respond but before he can Olive stealthily emerges from the River a few feet from slimy Sid and feathery Farnham. She stops to shake the water from her fur. Her actions have scared Farnham (it’s not hard to do!). He is unsure who is exiting the River so he flies to higher ground just in case he is considered prey.
Olive marches up into the forest smiling and laughing as she approaches Sid. “The frogs certainly are active tonight” Olive states. She enthusiastically flops down beside Sid sending air whooshing toward him causing his hammock to sway silently in the moonlight. Farnham glides back to his spot near Sid startling Olive this time. “Oh Farnham, you scare me” exclaims Olive. Sid can’t help laughing! “You two sure are nervous nellies.” Olive defends her actions by naming all the animals she might make a fine dinner for some day. Farnham pipes up “how do you think Sid and I feel? We’re really small and v-v-vulnerable.”
The daily chattering of the avians stops as dusk turns to darkness. Only the odd owl hoot disrupts the little green gang’s rhythmic croaking. The frog frenzy is intensifying as the moon masked by wispy clouds drifting by….
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