Today is the first full day of Spring. So I decided to go for a 10 minute drive and check out a wooded area and see what's up.
The spot has a vernal pool.
Many, many Wood Frogs were calling, along with a few Spring Peepers. Wood Frogs sound like chickens clucking.
Most of the Wood Frogs were floating about, chasing other Wood Frogs or being chased.
Another amphibian that reproduces here is the Spotted Salamander.
Most Wood Frogs hide when they sense danger, but if you're patient enough, eventually you'll see the swirls of their movements.
Red-spotted Newts are here as well, presumably to eat amphibian eggs.
The second Spotted Salamander was nearly 8 inches in total length.
You might have though that I was kiding you when I said Wood Frogs sound like chickens, so I made this short video.
s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii204/tspuckler/Peeper%20Night%202010/?action=view¤t=MVI_0283.mp4
Most of the frogs were rather dark.
But I did see this pink one. I've seen pink ones before, but this one was so light that I soon realized that it was an albino.
Redback Salamanders live here too.
I closed out the day by finding this very pale "white-sided" Spotted.
I'm glad Spring is here.
Tim
Third Eye
