It was a long wait, but finally there has been activity at nearby vernal pools. Wood frogs
(Lithobates sylvaticus) were busy "quacking" and mating. Freeze-tolerant wood frogs have been overwintering beneath the leaf litter. Watch this amazing video of
Wood frogs reviving in spring.
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| Wood frogs in amplexus |
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Wood frog
We saw only male spotted salamanders. Females hadn't arrived yet.
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Male spotted salamander swimming away. Males have a noticeably swollen vent (cloaca).
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Spotted salamander under water
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Spotted salamander in leaf litter
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Spotted salamander headed to the vernal pool
Spring peepers were chorusing loudly in a pond across the street from the vernal pool. Four years ago, there were spring peepers at the vernal pool, but we no longer find them there.
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| Can you spot the spring peeper in the reeds? See a close-up shot below. |
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| Male spring peeper calling |
Click below to hear my recording of the spring peepers. Happy Spring!
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