Violets and Toads

The carpet of blue violets in our back yard expands every year, but this year there seems to be a veritable explosion of them, with bits and pieces that have scattered to all corners of our yard. I was doing some weeding yesterday, but I left all the stray violets, including those in the herb garden.

___________________


I have been hearing this sound all afternoon and evening for the first time this year, and I've just figured out it's the call of the American toad. Last month it was the spring peepers. It won't be long now before the green frogs and bullfrogs will join the chorus. One of the best things about living on a pond in the woods is being lulled to sleep by these songs in the summer.