Tried to see the faint-croaking frogs at J. P. Browns pond in the woods -- They are remarkably timid & shy -- had their noses & eyes out -- croaking -- but all ceased dove & concealed themselves before I got within a rod of the shore. Stood perfectly still amid the bushes on the shore -- before one showed himself -- finally 5 or 6 & all eyed me -- gradually approached me within 3 feet to reconnoitre and though I waited about 1/2 hour would not utter a sound nor take their eyes off me -- Were plainly affected by curiosity.
On this day in 1853, Thoreau wrote the following observation in his journal:
My Aunt Maria asked me to read the life of Dr. Chalmers -- which however I did not promise to do. Yesterday, Sunday, she was heard through the partition shouting to my Aunt Jane who is deaf -- "Think of it, he stood haf an hour today to hear the frogs croak, and he would'nt read the life of Chalmers -- "
Source: Daily Observations: Thoreau on the Days of the Year (2005), edited by Steve Grant
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)
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