The Night of the Leopard Frog

I spent six hours becoming one with a shrubbery last night. 

There were three cloudbursts 

and a rain of small and very confused frogs....

~ Charles Stross, from The Atrocity Archives

RGLF seems stunned by the light.

The frogs were out at at Berry Springs Park last night - most of them Rio Grande Leopard Frogs. They hopped erratically from the low grass along the creek to deeper grass and, finally, into the water - and we failed in each early attempt to photograph or catch them (at least 6 "got away"). They were moving fast...and we were not...

OC and KM documenting the first frog of the evening.

And then we (I use the royal "we" as I caught nothing) began to catch frog after frog - initially only RGLF. We heard their purr and crackling conversation amidst Green Treefrog "barking," Blanchard's Cricket Frog "clicking," and American Bullfrog "bellowing." 

Green Treefrog

We followed the Green Tree Frog calls to the ditch in the pecan orchard where a tree hosted two small frogs. After catching and photographing them, we released them as near to where they had been before they were disturbed by this rowdy trio.

Anything for science people. 

And please note that we are participating in a project - Texas Nature Trackers* - in collaboration with Texas Parks and Wildlife. This isn't just a "lark in the park after dark." And we always attempt to minimize disruption to the subjects.**

A new watcher joined us on the adventure tonight. OC had heard my stories of frog monitoring in this park and finally had a break in her schedule. She turned out to be a pro*** and I suspect she will come on another watch if time allows.

LIST (It's for me people. I've always got to have a list):

Rio Grande Leopard Frog (visual and audio - documented)

Green Treefrog (visual and audio - documented)

American Bullfrog (audio, but no recording)

Blanchard's Cricket Frog (audio - documented)

White-tailed Deer

Crested Caracara

Common Raccoon

Northern Mockingbird

[Okay. I know the list should be longer, but this is what I remember. Some plants were also documented and will be included in the photos. Because it was OC's first watch, we spent time explaining the procedure. One can never know what will happen on an Amphibian Watch. It's always a good time.]

The sky threatened a downpour, but the small storms dissipated before they reached the park. 

It never hurts to start the adventure with a rainbow.

OC was excited to meet the donkeys.

The park deer herd watched our progress.

These White-tailed deer are not tame, but they do allow us to get fairly close before scattering.

A lone milkweed seed rested in the middle of the path.

Dakota Mock Vervain

OC and KM heading to the spring.

Texas Vervain

This park has some of the loveliest sunsets.

Grass silhouetted against the sky.

A Crested Caracara flew to the top of this power pole. [You may just have to trust me on this.] 

OC enjoyed the gear.

Rio Grande Leopard Frog

Another Rio Grande Leopard Frog

Learning about the RGLF's broken dorsolateral fold and other identifying marks.

Yet another Rio Grande Leopard Frog.

Green Treefrog

Wonder what the frogs think of the lights and temporary detention.

I know I hate getting measured.

The bright spot in the middle of this shot is the only American Bullfrog we saw.  This guy was calling (only the males call), but every time we got our equipment ready to record, silence.
[It's a wretched shot. You will have to trust me.]

At least you can tell this is a raccoon. It's eyes glowed in the flashlight and gave away its location just across the creek.

Our drive home took twice the normal time. Lanes were closed on the highway and vehicles "played chicken" as they cut the line. We took our time.

Find your park. Explore. Volunteer. Have an adventure (every day if you can).

NOTES:

*https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/wildlife_diversity/texas_nature_trackers/projects/

** https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/?gclid=CjwKCAjwi9-HBhACEiwAPzUhHL4q4mklOmLcGa9p4s963OcwjMy8NS4WYF3pbz7xBMZ90G0fjmEC7BoCRmEQAvD_BwE

*** OC works a great deal with animals - she is a biomedical science major and is planning on attending vet school.