It's now four weeks since the frog spawn appeared in the garden pond, a month that has seen everything from warm sunshine to snow and hail, with a minor freeze covering the pond surface with ice in the middle of all that. We've had more rain today, but I'm happy to report that the tadpoles don't mind a bit and were out enjoying their relative freedom now they're fully hatched.
Today's tadpole
It's been fascinating to watch them develop from the early cell division. I was surprised to discover that they sport gills (though these will be re-absorbed over the coming weeks) which can sometimes cause confusion with young newts. At their current stage the eyes are still developing, but are now visible. They also have gaping mouths. I've put together a fairly complete sequence of photos showing all the stages thus far: Frog Spawn Development
Other garden news is the re-appearance of the greenfinches. They are probably the greediest of the garden visitors and are particularly partial to the seed feeder (much to the relief of the peanut-loving wood mouse).
But no news of the foxes. I'm not too surprised that the old dog fox has disappeared. He's prone to vanishing around this time of year, but I am surprised not to have had even a glimpse of any of the others. The weather may have something to do with it, or they may have moved slightly further away. There are small signs though, including the distinctive scent they leave in the garden. So I keep watching, and waiting. And raiding the archive to find new pictures for the Fox of the Day series which now features more than 1000 photos :faint:
Camera note: tadpole taken with the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG macro + full set of extension tubes and ring-flash; the greenfinches were photographed with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS + 1.4 teleconverter.
cakkleberrylane
30 Mar 2008I loved the photos of the frog spawn. I am forwarding it to my son – I was telling him about your blog and the cell division etc. He was very interested.
The greenfinches are beautiful!
Ukwildlife
30 Mar 2008There coming on nicely 🙂
Nice photos as ever
Vulpes vulpes
30 Mar 2008The 'Frog Spawn Development' is really fascinating. Awww, come back foxes!!
gdare
30 Mar 2008More than a 1000? Wow, you have been busy over last year :up:
gdare
30 Mar 2008I think I remember of seeing this one before. Which of the foxes is it?
Words
30 Mar 2008I think it's the cub we called 'Blondie'. He'll be in some of the early blog entries.
Words
30 Mar 2008Darko, the 'fox of the day' goes back to mid-2005 (with a few days missed now and then). This is the first photo I used in the series, from June 2005. It was taken on an Olympus C370.
Words
30 Mar 2008Thanks Neil :cheers:
Words
30 Mar 2008Vulpes, yes I don't know what's happened with the foxes. Maybe just an acute attack of shyness.
Words
30 Mar 2008Lois, I hope your son enjoys it. he might also want to take a look at the superb video on the Oxford Scientific site. Just pop 'frog spawn' into the search box.
The greenfinches are real terrors! But they photograph wonderfully well. So vain as well as greedy 😉
SittingFox
30 Mar 2008Excellent photo-series of the tadpoles! I haven't seen anything quite that good about their development before.
Nothing is as greedy as a greenfinch, that is for sure 😉
Interesting about the foxes. I wonder if one (or more?) of the vixens has given birth a bit later than the Chipped Vixen? :confused:
cakkleberrylane
30 Mar 2008Thanks!! I'll forward that to him as well. He will appreciate it!
Words
30 Mar 2008Adele, thanks. I'll add to the tadpole series as they grow up! As for the foxes, still no sign.