From Kittens to Tadpoles

Rich's News from Camp Webegone

July 1, 2015

For those who have been following along, you may remember that last year we rescued some kittens. Well, this year we are rescuing tadpoles...

Tadpoles

When I was growing up outside Grants Pass, the area was filled with various sumps and pools that frogs loved. I can remember seeing the eggs and watching the tadpoles. But I have realized that I did not have any guidance while exploring the natural phenomenons that surrounded me.  In those days the only natural exploration and experimentation was the usual kind of cruelty administered often by young boys. I don't remember doing anything cruel myself, but I certainly did have friends who did. And frogs were an easy target.

So as I experience this place now, I regret that I did not have guidance that might have opened my mind to the miracles around me. Without that guidance, as I grew up, I soon abandoned those explorations of the wilds. And it is only now that I am recovering what I think is my natural curiosity.

Getting Water

Each day I get the opportunity to observe a new bird or mushroom or bug. Some we can identify like the pilated woodpecker, but many we cannot. How do you distinguish a white fir from a grand fir? And there, what a gorgeous beetle, and what bird sings that beautiful song?

The diversity here is thrilling, and in being here I slowly reclaim some of that curiosity and awe from my childhood.

Adding Water

But to get back to tadpole rescue. On one of our journeys to watch the water ouzels, we came across a small pool of water. It was the only standing pool on the lava flow that still had water - after this long, hot summer. And inside that pool are lots of tadpoles.

We started to watch them each time we came up, and soon realized that the pool (which is at most 2 ft. wide) was losing water. So we have been getting river water and filling the pool. We missed one day, and the pool was very depleted when we arrived the next day, and I am sure we lost half of the tadpoles. But the remaining tadpoles are now developing legs, and we hope that they get a chance to fully develop into frogs. 

Meanwhile the ouzel nest is now silent, and we hope they survived their introduction to air and water. We cross our fingers.

Late Update: Alas, alack, last visit to the little pool of tad poles and the water was gone..... Dang....