Experiencing Nature’s Symphony
by Michael Frees
“Nature’s music is never over;
her silences are pauses,
not conclusions.”
Mary Webb
As children, our parents often told us, with good intentions,
to stay indoors during rainy days. They said, “You will get sick” or “
You will get mud in the house.” Talk to my mother or any of my friends,
and you will find I am not much for heeding conventional wisdom. As a
naturalist and wildlife guide, I feel the same about getting out and seeing
nature. Warm, rainy days are some of the best times to experience the
diversity of Kiawah. Yes, you will get wet, and yes, you will probably get
muddy, but you will get to experience a wildlife song and dance show that
few know.
Historically, abundant freshwater is a luxury to wildlife, especially
on barrier islands such as Kiawah. One such group of creatures, anurans,
are especially visible and more impressively audible during heavy rains. Of
the roughly 4,800 species of frogs, toads and treefrogs in the world, Kiawah
is home to six. With small exceptions within the ACE Basin (which
experiences high amounts of freshwater flooding), this limited amount
of species diversity is typical of barrier islands. This short list of gems
consists of the eastern narrowmouth toad, eastern spadefoot toad, southern
toad, squirrel tree frog, green treefrog and southern leopard frog.
Choice habitat is easily located on rainy days. Simply get in the
car, turn the radio off, roll down the windows and start driving around.
From the road it is easy to hear the sometimes-deafening vocalizations.
With little effort, one can head to the center of the concert to find scores of
frogs and toads mating. Many of these species rely on temporary vernal
pools that form during heavy rains to mature and reproduce. As one can
imagine, water quality and the existence of low depressions are vital to
anuran survival. The Preserve is one of the best places on Kiawah to get
a front row seat to this rarely observed event. It contains good habitat that
easily floods.
If I may be so bold to suggest, come spring and summer, get
some cheap muck boots and a poncho, and go play in the rain. A wildlife
enthusiast will rarely be disappointed. n
Photograph courtesy of Pamela Cohen
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