A common frog swiming in a pond filled with eggs. Credit: Yalakom

It is this time of the year when frogs and toads return to the pond of their birth to mate and lay thousands of eggs in shallow waters.

These common frogs (Rana temporaria) were swimming among their eggs laid over a good square meter at one edge of their native pond. The breeding season spans from March to late June for this widespread species, so these are the very first eggs of the year. It only takes 2-3 days for these prolific animals to produce so many eggs, and once their business is done, males and females disperse, leaving their progeny behind to their own fate.

Credit: Yalakom

Credit: Yalakom

Sociable beings… Credit: Yalakom

Credit; Yalakom

Credit: Yalakom

Credit: Yalakom

An ocean of eggs. Credit: Yalakom

Credit: Yalakom

Within two to four weeks, depending on the weather conditions, gold-brown tadpoles will hatch out and begin their incredible metamorphosis into little froglets.

These eggs are a little too exposed and will probably dry out in the air and die. Credit: Yalakom

Sunset over the frog eggs. Credit: Yalakom

About one square meter was covered with eggs. Credit: Yalakom

Location: Botanical Garden, Bayreuth, Germany