May 11th, 2007
comfortable?
The Gray Treefrogs (Hyla versicolor) have been quite vocal around the garden over the past couple of days. I’m also hearing much trilling of American Toads (Bufo americanus). Last night, we did our frog pond survey route after 9 p.m., and trilling toads were the main event. Last time out, 15 days ago, it was Leopard Frogs (Rana pipiens) that were the most vocal species.
Yesterday, while pruning back a very unruly rugosa rose that grows outside our bedroom window, I found this Gray Treefrog snuggled down on a rose cane. Its chosen resting spot doesn’t look too comfortable. I’m hoping the the top of the cane doesn’t have nearly so many spines as the lower side. We’ve been hearing plenty of treefrog chirps coming from the rose bush, so this must be the source. On warm summer nights, we often find treefrogs crawling about on the window glass and screens gobbling up moths attracted to the house lights. Last night, there were quite a few moths – probably the most so far this year, so I expect the frogs will soon be making nightly appearances at the windows.
Have a great Mother’s Day weekend everyone!
Tags: Hyla versicolor, Gray Treefrog, American Toad, Bufo americanus
May 11th, 2007 at 7:49 am
How very strange that we are experiencing the same frog sounds at the same time! Of course our gray treefrogs will continue to vocalize through most of the summer, and will get real enthusiastic before a thunderstorm (they know). Our bullfrogs seem to be way way early. I’ve come to think of them as late summer critters, and with good reason: with the windows open at night, and in my sleep, their periodic rrruuuums merge with my dreams and inform them.
And really, isn’t a gray treefrog on a branch the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?
May 11th, 2007 at 7:55 am
Nice frog. It looks like an Indian fetish.
May 11th, 2007 at 9:17 am
I do think a gray treefrog on a branch is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Our treefrogs have been singing since March. I must say they quieted down quite a bit during some of the late frosts we had, but now that the temps are warmer, they’re vocalizing most of the night. We hardly ever get to see them, so this pic is a real treat.
May 11th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
That is the doggonedest picture – that drowsy little frog snoozing atop a THORNY rose cane – oblivious to the iron maiden it’s using as a mattress. Isn’t that something? I had to share this with my hubby. Again – I marvel at the abundance and diversity of life around your home. Tree frogs clinging to your screens?! Neat. Neat. Neat.
May 12th, 2007 at 4:54 am
I have been hearing the grey tree frogs for several days now but cannot find one. Something about grey on grey…
May 12th, 2007 at 5:48 am
I’m sure you’re tired of hearing this, but those are great photos. I’ve managed to find one or two gray tree frogs before, but never on a rose bush.
May 14th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
I’ve never, ever seen this frog and as a lover of frogs, I envy you the chance to see one so close to home. We do have a spring peeper chorus building up year by year, but the hot, dry weather has once again doomed our wood frog population for the year because the vernal ponds are mudholes. Great photo! I can’t imagine a frog liking a thorny bed.
May 15th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Thanks, everyone. Just a follow-up on the little tree frog. I’ve been working trimming back the rose bush in spare time over the past couple of days. The little frog is still there – moving from stem to stem. For awhile yesterday, it moved to the downspot of some eavestroughing that passes next to the bush. Last night, I found the frog scrunched down into the soil next to one of the rose canes. It does seem to consider the bush its residence. I’ll have to try to keep checking to see how long it sticks around that the bush over the next while.