No Toad in the hole!
Well, not a Toad in the hole, rather spawn in the pool courtesy of the local Frogs. The un-seasonal mild weather has tempted them to spawn in a quiet pool in the Wern Ddu woods near Caerphilly. Hopefully, the potential for hard frosts will stay away and they have a fighting chance to reach the tadpole stage Frogs' embryos are surrounded by several layers of gelatinous material giving them an almost 'jelly' like appearance. When several eggs are clumped together, they are collectively known as frogspawn. The jelly provides support and protection while allowing the passage of oxygen, carbon dioxide and ammonia. The spawn absorbs moisture and swells on contact with water. After fertilisation, the innermost portion liquefies which allows movement of the developing embryo. Most eggs are black or dark brown and this has the advantage of absorbing warmth from the Sun which the insulating capsule retains. The larvae developing in the eggs can detect vibrations ca