1,001 Amphibian Nights
Gray Treefrog
It's pretty obvious that I'm entering my really busy time of the year. I unexpectedly drop out of sight for a few days, don't post, don't comment and don't reply to comments left here. This time it was my department's annual camping/collecting trip. We head out for a few days, and get a bunch of critters to include in live displays at the Museum. This year, the fishing was particularly good, and we returned home with a nice selection of darters, shiners, and dace to put in one of our aquariums.
Fishing in LaSalle County
My department has been experiencing a growth spurt of late, so this was a larger than normal crew. One of our new members, Tom, is an extremely accomplished herpetologist. He was very eager to see frogs, particularly since we were hearing hundereds or thousands each night.
American Toad
Over the course of the last couple of days, we saw at least a half dozen species of frogs, including cricket and chorus frogs. Sadly, I missed photos of the cricket frogs as I was concentrating on my favorite beetles at that time (more about them later). Still, I was very pleased with the action shots of calling American toads and gray treefrogs that I managed to get.
Labels: Amphibians, Collecting, Frogs, Museum
posted by Doug Taron @ 20:17
8 Comments:
Great photos. That looks like a fun outing. Looking forward to the beetle post/s.
That does look like a fine camping and collecting trip. Wonderful tree-frog photo. You remind me that I miss the sounds of our frogs at night. What a glorious chorus.
I WISH I could have been on that trip. I would have learned LOTS. Unlike Robin, I AM hearing those frogs (since she left WA)...and wish I could see them....I rarely find one. They seem so tiny for the big sound they're making. THANKS for more fascination with nature, Doug.
Great shots of the calling toads. Looks like they are going to have a blowout. Looks like it may have been a good day.
Looking forward to the beetles.
Thanks for the visit,
Troy
That frog pic is awesome! Now I have to go out on my own quest.
Take your time, we'll be here!
cedrorum- This was the best of the three department camping trips that we;ve had to date. I'll try to get something up with beetle photos tomorrow.
Robin- I miss frog sounds, too. We don't have them where I now live. It's too suburban. But I grew up with the peepers as one of the sounds of early spring.
Mark- I wish you could have been on the trip, too. We saw lots of great stuff.
Troy- The toad photo is not even at maximum inflation. They really do look like they're about to explode.
Heather- I think that your kids would love seeing this. Though the little one might not have the needed patience to do the stalking.
I love a good toad.
when I was growing up, a bad person was nicknamed 'a toad sucker'
Looks like a good time. I'm hoping to get self+kayak in the water next week!
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