Dead Zone Frogs

To live in a wooded area in California is to be aware of the elements of fire danger. Trees are tinder, grasses tender. We are advised that we should maintain a cleared 100' "safety zone" around our properties, to prevent the spread of flames from foliage to structure. We cut down the trees, then, and mow the grasses, to abate the fire hazard, until...voila.

We should implement a forestry study at Irish Beach, in which a map is made of the area indicating the location, size, age, and species of every acknowledgeable spec of flora. From such a plan could be determined the relative nature of each growth, whether benign, melignant, or benevolent.

The scenic pond is brimming with life: singing frogs, crickets, insects, bats, birds of prey, bears, and mountain lions. An abundant insect population is sufficient to support a proportionate number of bats. If humans were to suddenly eradicate the bat population, there would be a sudden surge in the numbers of insects looking for a meal.

Tonight we also learned the value of "sachet" in repeling insects. It appears that the buggers can't smell how tasty you are under your lavender halo.

I can easily imagine the insects eating us alive...