We tried to socially distance ourselves Sunday afternoon at the Navarino State Wildlife Area, but we ran into a loud bunch of amorous Anura amphibians — frogs for those who aren’t making a pretentious, alliterative jump.
We heard them before we saw them and I found myself thoroughly charmed, until our resident biologist pointed out what they were actually doing.
“You’re going to want to blur some of those pictures,” she said dryly, and I looked again.
Leaping libido! Spring is in the air.
Frolicking frogs aside, we spent a spectacular Palm Sunday afternoon hiking, breathing good fresh air and finding comfort in nature’s obvious resiliency. We gave the scant handful of people we saw wide berth as we made our way through peaceful trails teaming with life. Sandhill cranes (the lazy ones who weren’t out gathering food), geese and camera-shy, beautiful tundra geese joined a chorus that underscored our stroll.
Last July, a line of ferocious tornados uprooted trees all over Northeastern Wisconsin and sent them sprawling in a painful, undignified manner. Our hearts lurched a little when we saw the destruction.
But, then spring came to Wisconsin and with it, optimism. Every felled tree offers multiple opportunities for life. Seedlings sprout from roots or stumps and grow quickly in the sunlight that streams through broken canopies. Downed trees also offer habitat and enrich the soil.
We live on an incredible planet and, in many ways, we are the most adaptable species here.
We will get through this global challenge and, like the oak tree, the last to fall, we will rise stronger and, hopefully, more empathetic.
Stay home.
Stay wise.
Wash your hands.
Breathe.
And, like the Navarino frogs, have a little fun.
We’ll get through this.
Ribbit.
Beautiful photos and inspiring frog video. Thanks.
Thank you!