On a recent spring passage from Norfolk to Block Island, we discovered a small tree frog that was an unfortunate stow away. He must have snuck aboard when we were tied to the wall of the Great Bridge Lock on the Intracoastal Waterway outside of Norfolk, Virginia. Early on the second morning at sea, I discovered our friend hiding behind a cockpit cushion. It was early in the spring and nights were getting quite cool as we ventured north to Block Island. We made a terrarium out of a large can. We placed a moist sponge and greens in the can to keep the frog comfortable. We were able to feed our guest small flies that also seem to frequent these waters. He seemed to be handling the passage in good health but we needed to get him to a suitable place to release him. We were heading to Maine and it seemed likely to be too cold for a frog from Virginia.
Brilliant Green Stowaway on Cockpit Coaming
When we reached Boston, we stopped for a brief visit with our daughter who volunteered to take over our care for the frog and find a suitable home. Much to our surprise we received a photo of our frog two weeks later in an exhibit in a natural science museum in Western Massachusetts! Karma was preserved!