Da spring is sprung,
Da grass is riz,
I wonder where dem boidies is?
Dem boids is on der wing.
Ain’t dat absoid?
Der little wings is on der boid!
(Variation of the Brooklyn National Anthem, made popular in WWII)
As short as a week ago, at about 2,000 feet in altitude, we were wrapped in the same snow blanket as much of the SE; our small forest puddles and ponds still were iced over.
By March 1st, puddles and ponds were clear of ice at 2,000 feet, but still iced over at 2800 feet.
With the help of a little rain and temps above 45F, by March 3rd, Wood Frog activity had picked up:
Please ignore the poor visuals, listen to the Wood Frogs, probably 25+, in this small breeding puddle.
Just to set the scene, though these frogs get spooked easily in daylight, there is a berm that permits one to approach pretty close, unseen.
That night, more signs of spring were evident:
Peepers, of course, calling and on their way to propagation.
Upland Chorus Frogs in full swing:
Early salamanders were also journeying forth:
Female Blue Ridge two-lined salamander (Eurycea wilderae)
Male
And sadly, the DORs began:
Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying
Moderator: Scott Waters
- BillMcGighan
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- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:23 am
- Location: Unicoi, TN
Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying
great pics Bill, wish the woods would have been a tad earlier...
-
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Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying
I love the photo of Jean and the dogs. Y'all live in a gorgeous place, it appears.
Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying
Tamara, I can comment on that, he does. Awe inspiring country up there. With lots of rocks;)
- Josh Holbrook
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Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying
Heavy rains and 47 degrees the other night here, Bill - about 1,600 ft. Lots of wood frogs, no salamanders :-/
- BillMcGighan
- Posts: 2362
- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:23 am
- Location: Unicoi, TN
Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying
Yeah, Chris. You saw how tiny that puddle is and you saw it at its seasonal lowest; it's never empty.wish the woods would have been a tad earlier...
Now we want to see some more Alabama adults!
Thanks,Tamara. Again, you and Ray are welcome any time; same to any of the folks that we have met on NAFHA outings.Y'all live in a gorgeous place, it appears.
I know I’ve said this before, but one of the many attractions for us to this area is the miles and miles of national forest (i.e. public multi-use access; miles and miles of trails; over a dozen trails to water falls; access to multi altitudes and habitats.)
Great to know they’re in your area.Heavy rains and 47 degrees the other night here, Bill - about 1,600 ft. Lots of wood frogs
I know you’ll understand when I say, Woods were über common up north, but finding them at the edges of their southern ranges makes them special!
PS
More important, when do we call you “Dad”?
- Rich in Reptiles
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- Location: Missouri
Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying
The wood frog chorus is beautiful!
- Josh Holbrook
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Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying
May 12th is the due date.BillMcGighan wrote: PS
More important, when do we call you “Dad”?
- Daniel D Dye
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Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying
We hope to call Tennessee home by the end of 2016, Bill. Can't wait to see all the cool stuff.
- Josh Holbrook
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Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying
Daniel D Dye wrote:We hope to call Tennessee home by the end of 2016, Bill. Can't wait to see all the cool stuff.
You're the only ten I see.
Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying
It's all coming together. The unfortunate DORs are always heartbreaking...and that one was mid stride too. But the breeding eruption is a fun sight.
-Jake
-Jake
Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying
Lovely post. Spring has definitely sprung.
DORs of any kind are a heartbreaking.
DORs of any kind are a heartbreaking.
- BillMcGighan
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- Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:23 am
- Location: Unicoi, TN
Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying
Beth
JH
DDD
Did you guys decide on an area yet? It’s a wide state!
Remember to plan a diversion to our area when you plan a house hunting trip.
Jake
The most exciting I’ve seen, but much further north, was a Spotted Salamander “boiling frenzy”.
Da CPT
Their range comes close to your area. Ever see them down your way?The wood frog chorus is beautiful! They’re especially beautiful when you’re staring at ice and snow for a while!
JH
Super… This event will change your life for the better.May 12th is the due date.
DDD
That’s so great, Daniel.We hope to call Tennessee home by the end of 2016,
Did you guys decide on an area yet? It’s a wide state!
Remember to plan a diversion to our area when you plan a house hunting trip.
Jake
You got that right, Jake.But the breeding eruption is a fun sight.
The most exciting I’ve seen, but much further north, was a Spotted Salamander “boiling frenzy”.
Da CPT
Always, Noah, though when you target a new, faraway species, where you haven’t much info on preferred habitat, a DOR lets you know you haven’t traveled a long way only to be looking in the wrong place; of course, not this case here.DORs of any kind are a heartbreaking.