Each spring we have seen frogs, frog spawn and tadpoles in the lower pond.  For many years the tadpoles have vanished within a week — eaten (we assumed) by the many newts in the pond.

This year, the frogs, spawn and tadpoles in the lower pond came and went as usual. Then, in early June we first noticed dozens of tadpoles in the upper pond. They particularly congregate in the warmer, shallow water and under the lily pads (right). They and the numerous newts in the pond seem completely oblivious to each other. Was the frog spawn hidden in the pond grass? Did the cold spring weather delay the hatching? Will they survive the summer?