tadpoles and frogs

In early May we decided we wante dto get some tadpoles and put them in a fish tank to see them transform into frogs. We did that with my family once or twice when I as young and I thought it was facsinating, so I thought my kids should have the same experience.
We live close to four big ponds and frankly, the concert that the frogs give there in Spring and Summer is quite impressive. We figured that there had to be tadpoles in the ponds and went hunting. However, it proved harder then we thought. We didn't see any tadpoles and once lost the bucket in the pond... A man walking his dog helped us fish the bucket out of the pond and suggested a smaller pond close by where he had seen tadpoles. But no dice.


But finally, a teacher at the boys' school gave us some tadpoles that she had in the pond in her backyard. We brought them home and put them in a fish tank and over the last six weeks they have transformed into little baby frogs.
This week the first three frogs that were fully developed we put back in the big ponds. For Stoney, sentimental soul that he is, it was an emotional goodbye.