Frog Ponds

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script type="text/javascript" src="http://hb.lycos.com/hb.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ratings.lycos.com/ratings/lycosRating.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript"><![CDATA[//><!]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://scripts.lycos.com/catman/init.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-start.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-middle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-end.js"></script> <noscript> <img src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/img/common/ot_noscript.gif?rand=854192" alt="" width="1" height="1" />  <iframe frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" width="728" height="90" src="http://ad.yieldmanager.com/st?ad_type=iframe&ad_size=728x90&section=209094"></iframe>  </noscript> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=160 BGCOLOR="#660000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" bgproperties="fixed" background="287a0c00dvldxa.jpg"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="70" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 76 WIDTH="66"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="76" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="66" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About the house"><U>About the house</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The House"><U>The House</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Main Floor"><U>Main Floor</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Upstairs"><U>Upstairs</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Below Stairs"><U>Below Stairs</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Front garden"><U>Front garden</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Back Garden"><U>Back Garden</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Carriage House"><U>The Carriage House</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Christmas time"><U>Christmas time</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What weve learned"><U>What we've learned</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U>Links</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sign the guest book"><U>Sign the guest book</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id16.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Neighborhood"><U>Neighborhood</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Steinbeck House"><U>Steinbeck House</U></A></div> <div> <B>Frog Ponds</b></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Web Site Title"><U>home</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFCC99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Frog Ponds</b></div> <div> We've decided that our garden will be designed with two water features, one for fish, and one for frogs. Why frogs? </div> <bR> <div> Well, for one, the sound of frogs croaking at night is wonderfully soothing, but more importantly- frogs are losing their habitat and we intend on doing our part to give back in any small way we can. I was inspired by what groups of everyday gardeners are doing (their stories are listed in the links below).  Here's a couple of exerts showing how easy it is to create a little slice of Froggy heaven...</div> <bR> <div> "Most of us are not able to provide habitat for the world's threatened animal species but there is one group, which gardeners may assist.  Frogs are under threat throughout the world and loss of habitat is one of the factors contributing to their demise. </div> <bR> <div> A frog pond is easy to construct, adds interest to your domestic landscape, increases the range of plants that may be cultivated and most importantly will provide a haven for the frog species in your area." 1</div> <bR> <div> "Frog ponds can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish. Before building your pond you should consider the size of your garden, intended location of pond, proximity to neighbors, available materials, local frog species already in residence, time available for maintenance and your budget.</div> <bR> <div> Virtually any type or size container is suitable provided it is <U>not</U> metallic (tadpoles are very sensitive to metallic impurities). The following items may be used as frog ponds: old porcelain bath tubs, children's plastic wading pools (e.g. clam shell variety), prefabricated fiberglass shells, compacted clay, terra-cotta pots, PVC lined ponds and concrete (although concrete is expensive and is prone to leaking). Please note cement ponds will need to be cured before tadpoles can be introduced.</div> <bR> <div> Your pond should have sloping sides to provide emerging frogs with a surface by which they can leave the pond. Broad twigs or untreated wood positioned at the water's edge will suffice. Your pond should be filled with rain water or tap water which has been allowed to age for 5 to 7 days in the sun before introducing tadpoles. This allows the chlorine time to dissipate.</div> <bR> <div> Regardless of what type of pond you choose, suitable pond surrounds will make your pond an attractive and safe place for frogs to visit. Young frogs emerging from ponds are particularly vulnerable to dehydration and predatory animals such as lizards, birds, snakes, large spiders and domestic animals such as cats. Adequate ground cover around your pond will provide protection from predators and the elements.</div> <bR> <div> A balanced mixture of plants of varying heights will not only provide shelter but will also attract a wide range of insects on which frogs feed. Water plants produce oxygen and assist in improving the water quality of your pond. They also provide a resting place for emerging frogs and breeding pairs. As tadpoles return constantly to the surface to breath ensure that the weed does not multiply to such an extent that it clogs or prevents the tadpoles' access to the surface. Bordering plants which hang over the pond edge and into the water will provide shelter for maturing frogs and tadpoles feeding at the water's edge.</div> <bR> <div> A watering system will assist in maintaining a moist environment preferred by frogs and low set garden lights will attract insects for your frogs to feed on.</div> <bR> <div> Your pond should be located so that 2/3 of the water surface is in shade. Some sun is desirable as it encourages algae growth on which tadpoles feed and tadpoles often congregate in shallow, warmer sections of the pond. Do not locate your pond under trees with poisonous sap or leaves such as oleanders and pine trees.</div> <bR> <div> Your pond should also include fish for mosquito control. Pacific Blue Eyes (a native species) and White Cloud Mountain Minnows (an introduced species) are both suitable as they have relatively small mouths and will not eat larger tadpoles. However all pond fish will eat smaller tadpoles. </div> <bR> <div> Please do not release any fish or weed (native or otherwise) from your ponds into local waterways either directly or via sinks, drains or sewerage systems.<I>"2</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>Frog Related Links</b></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.asxfrogfocus.com/garden2.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.asxfrogfocus.com/garden2.html"><U>Make a frog pond</U></A>: Good solid advice to attract and support local species of frog & plants.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.forestry.uga.edu/warnell/service/library/index.php3?docID=313&docHistory%5B%5D=13&docHistory%5B%5D=286&docHistory%5B%5D=290" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.forestry.uga.edu/warnell/serv"><U>How to make a frog pond</U></A>: Author lives in Georgia, but some good general tips.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.johnrogers.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/pond1.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.johnrogers.pwp.blueyonder.co."><U>Building a small pond</U></A>: One person's sound advice after many years of pond making.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/2000/yardam0.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.nwf.org/nationalwildlife/2000"><U>Host a Frog</U></A>: The importance of leaving nature to her ways.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/createhabitat.cfm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabit"><U>Online Habitat planner</U></A>: A most useful tool from the National Wildlife Federation.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.forestry.uga.edu/warnell/service/library/index.php3?docID=314&docHistory%5B%5D=13&docHistory%5B%5D=286&docHistory%5B%5D=290" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.forestry.uga.edu/warnell/serv"><U>Create a tree frog habitat</U></A>: Don't forget about the land dwellers.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.frogwatch.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.frogwatch.org/"><U>Frogwatch USA</U></A>: Help Frogs and Toads here</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.allaboutfrogs.org/froglnd.shtml" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.allaboutfrogs.org/froglnd.sht"><U>All about Frogs</U></A>: Extensive website with a sense of humor</div> <div> <A HREF="http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~ranafrog/tadpoles.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~ranafrog"><U>Care & Feeding of Tadpoles</U></A>: Best to let local frogs find you, but if they don't...</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.fdrproject.org/pages/POtads.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.fdrproject.org/pages/POtads.h"><U>How to raise Tadpoles</U></A>: good general advice, but always check with your local experts.</div> <div> An<A HREF="http://www.forestry.uga.edu/warnell/service/library/index.php3?docID=316&docHistory%5B%5D=13&docHistory%5B%5D=286&docHistory%5B%5D=290" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.forestry.uga.edu/warnell/serv"><U> Intelligent Frog: </U></A>A real life tale of one smart little frog that won the heart of a pond owner.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Read about how people all around the world are creating frog habitats:</b></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.schools.ash.org.au/lreserve/Projectsnew.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.schools.ash.org.au/lreserve/P"><U>At schools</U></A>: This school turned a small unusable area into a bustling frog pond.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.gaia.iinet.net.au/GaiaHouse.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.gaia.iinet.net.au/GaiaHouse.h"><U>Gaia Foundation</U></A>: A group dedicated to living sustainably in the city, using environmentally friendly products, recycling,being car-free and using green power. </div> <div> <A HREF="http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/save/whattodo.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/save/whatt"><U>Save our Frogs</U></A>: A list of easy ways you can help live more gently upon the earth.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabit"><U>Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program</U></A>: Go beyond Frogs and learn about gardening for all wildlife (no matter where you live!).</div> <bR> <div> Bibliography:</div> <div> 1 from: home.bluepin.net.au/yallaroo/frog_ponds.htm </div> <div> 2 from: RANA http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~ranafrog/ponds.html</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Keeping Crickets as Pets</b></div> <bR> <div> I live in a beautiful city bustling with energy and offering dozens of culturally diverse experiences each and every night, but being an urban gypsy has it drawbacks.</div> <bR> <div> Although I can venture out in any direction to hear music from distant lands being played in establishments on every corner, it is the purest form of music of Nature that I miss.  Can anything truly compare to a star lit night with rolling hills and great Oaks standing quietly casting a moon's shadow across the plains. And the sweet smell of dew laden grass, or the chirping of crickets to lull you to sleep.</div> <bR> <div> While you may not be able to have those things in the city, there is one of these delights that you can partake of… and that is your own little “Minstrel of the Hearth”… a friendly little cricket to serenade you to sleep. </div> <bR> <div> Crickets have been treasured for their songs for centuries. In Japan and China, they are prized treasures that have inspired poets and artists. Even today, people keep crickets as pets, and you can too.</div> <bR> <div> I'm currently working on Cricket research and will post results here shortly.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>