Another Evening With Frogs (and a Toad)

It is odd that we have so little relationship with nature, 

with the insects 

and the leaping frog 

and the owl that hoots among the hills calling for its mate. 

We never seem to have a feeling 

for all living things on the earth.

~ Jiddu Krishnamurti

But WE do.

But let's start at the beginning. We knew that the weather might be bad. The forecast was uncertain. We got in the car with an overcast sky, but things deteriorated rapidly as we drove the hour to the park. The ceiling dropped and we were in mist or light rain the rest of the evening (until we got back home when the weather lifted once again).

The evening was cold, wet, muddy, and fabulous. The group (10 - large group for such nasty weather) found two Rio Grande Leopard Frogs, one Gulf Coast Toad, and one Mediterranean Gecko. The leopard frogs were calling from the pond. We caught one of the "callers" and he continued his calls as we examined and photographed him.

The best part of the evening was the youngsters along. They were fully engaged in the evening - interested and interesting. I love talking to youngsters. They give me a different perspective.

So here are a few of the things we observed. The tiny hands are child (E's) hands. E is a "frog man." [M is more of a bug man.]

Spiderwebs catch the moisture.

There were a number along the fence line.

The only thing blooming near the park. It is either a pear or a plum. But this photo is for the Cardinal who was enjoying the blooms as well.

What were they? Coots. There were a lot of them.

The water level is very low and so these clam shells (Asian clams, I think)

Loads of Marsh-Rams Horn

Beautiful lichen.

Dead bird :-(

White-tailed deer

This is what a Buttonbush looks like in the winter.

Bad photo of three Greater Yellowlegs.

Here they are again.

Crawfish hole?

Rio Grande Leopard Frog

Gulf Coast Toad - strange color. They are usually darker and more patterned, but we concluded that is what we had.

Isn't she a beauty?

See - no black neck-markings - SHE.

"Frog man" was good with the amphibians

Checking the dorsolateral fold on the second Rio Grande Leopard Frog (there is a break in the RGLF - Southern Leopard Frog dorsolateral fold is straight.

Dorsolateral fold is that line. See how it moves in towards the spine right at the leg?

HE was a good sized frog. He was "caught" because he was calling and disclosed his location. He continued to "call" as he was caught and examined. I have video. Dang. Someday I will figure out how to attach/embed one here.

Frog Man got to hold this guy too. We try to release the amphibians in the same spot where we caught them.

If this guy grows into those feet....!

We found paperwasp nests and cockleburs (one came home in my sock) and all kinds of other things. We heard Great Horned Owls, snipe (maybe), Killdeer, and sparrows (and dogs and highway noises.

It was almost a perfect evening.

Theories pass. 

The frog remains.

~ Jean Rostand