One August morning, as I headed to my Volunteer post at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, I noticed several staff members with paper cups in their hands scurrying about the paved area by the Visitor Center.
What were they doing? I had to find out!
There, inside one cup, were four tiny frogs (maybe an inch by three-quarters of an inch, with legs thinner than angel-hair spaghetti). My astonished look met with a quick explanation: “It’s that time of year! These young guys want to leave the marshy area over there for higher, drier ground—and this pavement is just perfect!” Well, that would be OK at night, but 9 am brings visitors, visitors who look out to the gardens, not where their feet are stepping. Hence the mad dash (most mornings this time of year, so I learned) to scoop up as many little ones as possible and take them to the higher ground beyond the parking area.
Fascinating, I thought, as I walked toward Overlook Bridge. My quiet reflection was soon broken by a chorus of ribbits coming from the pond. One fellow was unusually noisy! Maybe there were more than frogs in the pond! Was there a Japanese kappa as well? I have never seen a kappa, nor has anyone I know, but the tale of these mythical Japanese creatures is quite a fanciful one.
