Spiders and frogs and loads of bugs...

It's a pretty place. It can be a peaceful place.

 
I believed then – in a deep, easy way that is impossible for me as an adult – 

that there was more to this world than meets the eye. 

Trees had spirits; 

the wind spoke. 

If you followed a toad or a raven deep into the heart of the forest, 

they were sure to lead you to something magical.

~Jennifer McMahon

It's hard to believe it's fall. It was a beautiful evening, but a little warm.

A ladybug on the car - a portend of a good evening?

Amphibian Watch II

We had so much fun a month ago, that we decided to head to Berry Springs Park once again to see if we could see, hear, and maybe catch some frogs/toads.

We were early and so I investigated the wildflower garden(s). The Master Gardeners had been working hard and many flowers were still blooming. Butterflies were enjoying themselves in the garden as did wasps.

A field of "Mexican Hats." Our weather has been so warm and the rain regular. The plants don't know it is fall.

A little closer look.

Even the redbuds (which usually are an early spring bloomer) are confused by the weather.

Tiny aster.

Some of you regular readers will recognize the yellow "tomatoes" of the Silver-leafed Nightshade. As I took the photo I was surrounded by some of the others making sure I was aware the plant was poisonous. "Oh, yes," I said. "One of the reasons I love this plant is that every part is poisonous and animals leave it alone. You can watch it through the seasons." [And I thought, "Seriously. Do I look like a woman who has never stepped foo

Red wasp (?)

A small crowd gathered - 16 folks. Some were old hands. Others were still new. And two young men were on their first watch (although I am positive they have caught more than a few frogs and toads before this night).

Nets and gear was handed out once again.
 
Folks were fishing at the pier and our KM, our leader, suggested we spread out a little. DH and I walked around the pond, past the dam, through the woods (along the creek we could not see because it was overgrown and growing dark), past one Gulf Coast toad to a bridge we thought well placed to hear the frogs.

We turned our flashlights on a couple of times and discovered the drying plants at the bridge were covered in lovely spiderwebs. There were layers of webs. We saw at least one "catch" and tried to get some decent photos. It is hard to do in the dark.

A small-ish Rio Grande Leopard Frog

He's examined before release

Then we heard it...the clear voice of a Rio Grande Leopard frog. He was just behind us and so we re-positioned ourselves to try and catch the voice. We did get it on the cell, but discovered the herpetology site can only use certain types of files.* Still, KM listened to our tape and confirmed the catch. We were proud to be figuring out this gig.

We then headed back to the group in time to hear about the successful catches (the younger folks each caught leopard frogs for measurement and release). They caught one last frog before we packed up and headed to the cars.

Some of the guys looking for frogs.

The turtles wisely avoid us.

Gulf Coast Toad

Beautiful

The far side of the "pond" was dark and quiet, until we began to hear a lone leopard frog.

Across the pond we watched the bulk of our group and some fishermen who were at the dock when we arrived.

We've been on a bit of a full moon schedule.

We were leaning against the bridge railing and almost didn't notice the spiders...until we did.

The webs were everywhere and "mad" fabulous!

I believed then - in a deep, easy way that is impossible for me as an adult - that there was more to this world than meets the eye. Trees had spirits; the wind spoke. If you followed a toad or a raven deep into the heart of the forest, they were sure to lead you to something magical. Jennifer McMahon
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jennifermc722296.html?src=t_toad

I believed then - in a deep, easy way that is impossible for me as an adult - that there was more to this world than meets the eye. Trees had spirits; the wind spoke. If you followed a toad or a raven deep into the heart of the forest, they were sure to lead you to something magical. Jennifer McMahon
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jennifermc722296.html?src=t_toad

I believed then - in a deep, easy way that is impossible for me as an adult - that there was more to this world than meets the eye. Trees had spirits; the wind spoke. If you followed a toad or a raven deep into the heart of the forest, they were sure to lead you to something magical.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jennifermc722296.html?src=t_toad

I believed then - in a deep, easy way that is impossible for me as an adult - that there was more to this world than meets the eye. Trees had spirits; the wind spoke. If you followed a toad or a raven deep into the heart of the forest, they were sure to lead you to something magical.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jennifermc722296.html?src=t_toad