Gifts from nature...
the ones my children share with me always come to mind when I think of Mother's Day.
I don't know why, as it isn't like the gifts arrive on that day~rather they arrive throughout the year.
Last week this handsome fellow visited me.
Frogs this big explain the consumption of frog legs.
Last summer, this praying mantis intrigued me until he jumped on me as I was trying to take his picture~evidently he is not photogenic.
The crawdads live in muddy holes at the bottom of the pond, and evidently I need to appreciate this gift as it is reported crawdads pinch hard~shocking news!
The bass doesn't intimidate me as much.
Kade caught one of every critter in and around the pond on his first day at his new home late last summer~including this water snake. Water moccasin country is new to me, so this snake upset me until I could identify it.
The toads hang out near the trees, and Chayse loves to catch the plump amphibians.
My stipulation? The backyard is a catch and release sanctuary.
I do appreciate the skill of catching the critters and the understanding my children have of the pond ecosystem. Through those eyes, I appreciate all the gifts my children share with me, and the adventure of discovery brings bright smiles to their faces that makes me smile too~even if my skin is crawling!
