Nature Advisors Needed

Right in the middle of this field (in the foreground of this picture if you look carefully)...

we saw a curious sight....

This little guy or gal was hugging his/her babies. Or eating them! Or something! I don't know what toads do. The eggs have been there for about a week and have frozen once in that time.

Look how far they are from any water source! And right on the path. Is this normal?
(They are in between Chips and TJam taking the photo. That is a long way for tadpoles to get. Nature experts please advise!)