Amphibians

​Today’s word was “amphibian.”  Seems appropriate.  I was told recently that not all frogs come from tadpoles.  News to me.  But it is right.  I googled it so it must be true.  About half frog species go through the tadpole stage.
I think I was more comfortable though when I knew frogs were there in the water, and I am here.  This means a frog could be lurking nearby.  Frogs do not concern me.  Being taken by surprise does.
My mum wondered if I would ever get over the tadpole stage.  We had a creek next to our place in Townsville that would run in the wet season.  There would be eggs.  Lots of eggs.  Slimy dots.  Sometimes I would put the eggs in a container of water and bring them home.
I found them fascinating.  For years apparently.  The eggs would hatch and there would be a multitude of tadpoles.  Some were frogs.  Most were toads.  When they became tadpoles, I could tell them apart.  The frogs were the darker ones.  The toads, and it seems appropriate given where they came from, appeared more washed out.
At first there would be no legs.  Then two would appear.  Then another two.  Before long they were hoping about and went their separate ways.
Frogs were more prolific in North Queensland than they are here.  A friend of mine, having a shower, thought they reached for the Luck’s soap.  Only after rubbing it down their arm did they realize it was a green tree frog.
I have seen the occasional one down here.  I checked a letter box the other day and there was a tree frog in it.  I left him there.  I figured he got in there and if he wanted to get out he would.  He must have wanted to get out as I have not seen him since.
I discovered one on our broms.  I am told broms are good for frogs as they retain water. Many a frog has spent their youth in a brom.  He was different to what I was used to in that he had a yellow band.  I have seen a photo but never in person until then.
One thing I like about down here is I see a greater variety of frogs.  Up there I had a choice of green or green.  Down here, the frogs are smaller but I have seen several different sorts.
They were attracted to our pool.  I would find them swimming about in there.  That was if the chlorine had not got them.  In that case they were sleeping.  Or they could have been dead.
I really have not had much experience with other amphibians.  I have seen heaps of mud skippers, but they like to keep to themselves.  No matter how friendly I am they run away at my approach.   Well, hop away.
Before the age of digital photography I caught a humungous Lung fish.  It was big, but I can say with certainty it was smaller than the Sydney Opera House.  It was only years later I remembered they could breath air and I really did not need to hurry like I did to get it back in the water.
I took what can only be described as the classic fisherman’s photo.  When I had it developed, I saw the strap was over the lens.  The fish could not be seen.  You will just need to take my word that it was a biggy.
The amphibians I have come across have kept me entertained, while they went about doing what amphibians do.