Spring Seraphic Singing
It is late afternoon and spring by the calendar, although still quite cool. I have just spent some time at our neighbor’s pond, listening to a form of music that some have likened to the sound to bells. Others liken it to bird song. And still others with unimaginable disdain, to “some kind of nature noise.” For me it is one of the happiest of sounds– the act of creation transformed into sound decibels for all to hear. A sound that comes from the earth and resounds to the heavens, unwittingly praising the Almighty. It is a form of ecstasy when the sound surrounds me totally, filling my ears every evening with perhaps the single-most highlight of spring for me– the siren song of the Spring Peepers counterbalanced by the deeper sound of wood frogs.
How have they cast their spell over so many? I cannot say except that their song is uplifting and filled with hope despite the natural perils they face daily. For, as true of all of us, they may die at any moment– say as a meal for a nearby perching crow or underneath murky waters eaten by a snapping turtle. They call for a mate without ceasing, without fear, single-mindedly, without a thought for their own safety. This is nature at her most elemental, in her most singular scope. The peepers all sing out vying to be heard– an a cappella choir of voices. In some spots, I am told, their song is deafening. How nice to be there; I cannot get enough of their sweet music. It moves me to tears– these tiny creatures singing out their heart’s desire.
As I return home to family “situations” and domestic duties, I yearn for the simplicity and total fervor of their song. For if they sing then all is “right” in at least that small part of the world. Progress has not paved over their pond. Disdainful humans have not drained a “vernal pool.” David M. Carroll writes about vernal pools in his books on turtles called The Swampwalker’s Journal. As the title suggests, Carroll walks such places in search of turtles and other amphibians. He defines a vernal pool as a pool of water that fills up in Fall and Winter, swells in the Spring and often dries up by end of Summer. But a vernal pool is utmost a place of magic, not only where turtles lurk, but where mating frogs deposit gelatinous eggs which turn into tadpoles first, and there, later become frogs. And after a requisite series of warm days, followed by spring rains, on the first dark night, vernal pools become the site of the “salamander night.” Salamanders leave their hibernacula to go for a night of endless mating and then return to leaf litter in the woods to disappear for the rest of the year. Some people who know nothing of vernal pools and their function deem them a nuisance, a big puddle to be filled in or drained. Some people know little of spring peepers and wood frogs except that they are “noisy,” “like some sort of insect.” Poor insects are made out to be the pesky lowest of the low. The natural symphony of hormonal, harmonic sounds sometimes falls on deaf ears.
After finishing my evening chores, I try reading, but find the haunting sound of the spring peepers and wood frogs digging deep within my psyche, making me restless, wishing to be part of that pond, surrounded on all sides by the sex song, inebriated with the unbridled joy in the air, submerged in the utter power of nature manifesting in one of her gentler forms. For the song of the Spring Peepers nature celebrates life-to-be rather than the taking-away of life. Most of all, the song of the Spring Peepers is a song of tremendous faith, faith in love, faith that love will propagate, and faith that new life will emerge.
MOONSIDE 
This is beautiful; you’re great with reflections and color; simply gorgeous ; is this taken with the new camera?
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April 15, 2015 at 12:29 PM
I sure appreciate this comment coming from you!! No, I am still reading the manual to the new camera. The video was taken with my Nokia phone and the still was taken a few years ago with the Panasonic Lumix FZ50– both baby steps compared to what you are used to. Thank you, Maria!
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April 15, 2015 at 3:42 PM
Exquisite post in every way; just lovely.
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April 15, 2015 at 2:52 PM
Thank you so very much for your encouragement and support!! Best, Ellen
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April 15, 2015 at 3:43 PM
No wonder the sounds of life in the pond make you restless – the pond and its glorious surrounds as in photo would keep me aware too 🙂
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April 16, 2015 at 2:18 AM
Thanks, Inavukic, for writing. Yes, such sounds stir the soul!
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April 16, 2015 at 8:40 AM
Ellen, I am thrilled to read this most of all for your are rejoicing. I love your last paragraph, your last sentence, the most. Thank you.
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April 16, 2015 at 2:42 AM
Thank you so much, Kitt. This was written a few years ago. In a manic mood. Would that I could feel some of that now. In the last transition to a new medication from one I was on for 15 years or more. Hard. Anxiety rules.
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April 16, 2015 at 8:35 AM
So sorry that anxiety rules. I know that experience of spring loudly calling out mania from winter’s depression. Unfortunately, spring can also trigger anxiety. Is yours seasonal, situational, or just is? You need not answer if doing so is too hard. Just know that I hold you in my heart.
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April 16, 2015 at 4:09 PM
Oh, Kitt, you are so very kind!! You have no idea what your note means to me. I go into depression in Spring (except when with the frogs). But this year, LOTS of anxiety! Stopped Zyprexa completely last week after 15-20 years on it and am trying a homeopathic Lithium. Feeling pretty strung out from withdrawal altho done gradually. Also just life factors.
I hope you can find out what is wrong with your son, seeing all those specialists. What does the gastro guy think? Good luck getting to bottom of it.
Thanks so much for caring. You are one admirable woman and mother!
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April 16, 2015 at 4:46 PM
Seeing the gastroenterologist June 1. Saw an acupuncturist once, but rescheduled 2nd opinion for May 1 since my son is once again in bed sick. Difficult to get him to do missed school work.
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April 16, 2015 at 7:19 PM
A long wait for the gastro guy. That’s the way it is, I guess. Hope he will get better real soon!
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April 16, 2015 at 8:41 PM
Lovely post, Ellen. You write so well.
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April 18, 2015 at 6:27 AM
Thanks so much, Ashley. Written years ago. My writing right now, and photography, are zero. That introverted frame of mind you so portrayed so well without words in your self-portrait.
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April 18, 2015 at 10:59 AM
I’m sure it will all come back. A fallow period often precedes fruitfulness. Oh look, I’ve gone all agricultural!
I was so happy with the responses to that Introverted image. Seems there are plenty of introverted blogggers, which doesn’t surprise me in the least.
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April 19, 2015 at 1:06 AM
The introversion post was great. Yes, probably lots among bloggers. Could also represent depression. Very emotive.
P.S. Thanks for the vote of confidence. Still in a medication change and fear that may be the cause.
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April 19, 2015 at 7:05 AM
This is quite wonderful writing Ellen, and I was thrilled to see you expressing yourself at length as regards your love of nature. The sounds on the video seem to me both restful and vital all at once, and I could imagine myself sitting at such a place for quite some time. The natural world has the capacity to provide the mind with all the stimulus it needs without us resorting to discursive thought and memory; it truly is a gift and a need fulfilled.
Hariod. ❤
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April 21, 2015 at 8:20 AM
Thanks so much for writing, dear Hariod. Have been thinking of you because haven’t seen any new posts for you. Hope all is okay. Yes, the natural world does wonders for the psyche. It truly is an utmost blessing. ❤ ellen
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April 23, 2015 at 12:23 PM
Thank you Ellen; I have been away around the country visiting friends and family for a while, which was most pleasant. All best wishes, Hariod. ❤
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April 23, 2015 at 12:29 PM
Gorgeous photos and writing dear Ellen …I didn’t know about vernal pools , thank you for bringing natures intensity thru with such peaceful prose … Blessings and love , megxxx
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April 22, 2015 at 7:09 PM
Thank you so much for your encouragement and blessings. May I wish blessings and love to you as well. xx ellen
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April 23, 2015 at 12:24 PM
colorful photo with beautiful reflection 🙂
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April 23, 2015 at 8:06 AM
Thanks so much, Joshi!!
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April 23, 2015 at 12:25 PM
and what great light and colours exist in those vernal pools!
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April 28, 2015 at 4:38 AM
Yes, vernal pools are the undiscovered beauty in the world of wetlands. Some people actually try to drain them😢!! Glad you see their beauty!! Thank you for writing.
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April 29, 2015 at 8:25 PM
Simply beautiful
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May 4, 2015 at 9:35 PM
Thank you so very much!!
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May 7, 2015 at 7:57 PM