Life is abundant in Spring

scilla siberica

Springtime is full of signs of new life that reach all our senses. First it is seeing the spring bulbs that emerge from the earth overnight after a long winter dormancy. The Siberian Squill (scilla siberica) isn't flashy, but I love it since it is one of the first flowers to appear in my rock garden. And of course the daffodils are so bright and cheery that they always make me smile.

Then as the temperatures creep above freezing in the evenings, we hear the sound of spring peepers filling the air. This is a sure sign that winter is over. April showers not only brings flowers, but they also bring amphibians out of their hibernation, creating the conditions that allow these animals to  travel long distances, even surviving dangerous road crossings, to return to their breeding grounds, or in their case, wetlands and vernal pools, year after year. Vernal pools are created from snow melt, rain, and a high water table. Although some pools can hold water all summer, most are wet for only a few weeks in the spring. They do not contain fish and serve as a safe spot for species such as the Wood Frog and Spotted Salamander to lay their eggs. Once hatched, water needs to remain in the pond long enough for the amphibians to develop their lungs and leave the pond before it dries up. If a Spring is very dry, like last year's, the amphibians may forego a season of breeding. Fortunately, this year conditions were good and at an April 19th workshop with a field trip to some vernal pools in Keene, we found several egg masses in the water.

Wood frog eggs

Blue-spotted Salamander eggs

It is easy to take wetlands for granted and it takes getting out in the spring and actually investigating  the life that they support to bring an appreciation for their value. A scoop of water will also be filled with many insect larvae which are fascinating in their own right. While many people will only think of mosquitoes, vernal pools and wetlands support a large variety of insect populations, providing a needed food source for creatures up the food change.

Nematodes thrive in the muck of ponds

Tadpole (above leaf stem)

I am not sure what the insect is in the photo below. A larvae of a diving beetle? Please share if you can identify.

The three photos above were taken from from a sample of water from a small pond behind our house. At first it looked like there was nothing but dead leaves, but it was fascinating to take the time for a closer look and realize that it was actually teaming with life. I will look forward to periodically checking it throughout the Spring and Summer and see how it changes.