Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying

Dedicated exclusively to field herping.

Moderator: Scott Waters

Post Reply
User avatar
BillMcGighan
Posts: 2362
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:23 am
Location: Unicoi, TN

Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying

Post by BillMcGighan »

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.


Image



With the help of a little rain and temps above 45F, by March 3rd, Wood Frog activity had picked up:


Image

Image

Image


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.


Image

Image

Image



Upland Chorus Frogs in full swing:


Image



Early salamanders were also journeying forth:


Female Blue Ridge two-lined salamander (Eurycea wilderae)
Image


Male
Image



And sadly, the DORs began:


Image
Darkhorse
Posts: 191
Joined: July 8th, 2011, 5:11 pm
Location: Prattville,Alabama

Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying

Post by Darkhorse »

great pics Bill, wish the woods would have been a tad earlier...
Tamara D. McConnell
Posts: 2248
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 11:42 am

Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying

Post by Tamara D. McConnell »

I love the photo of Jean and the dogs. Y'all live in a gorgeous place, it appears.
Darkhorse
Posts: 191
Joined: July 8th, 2011, 5:11 pm
Location: Prattville,Alabama

Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying

Post by Darkhorse »

Tamara, I can comment on that, he does. Awe inspiring country up there. With lots of rocks;)
User avatar
Josh Holbrook
Posts: 2196
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 8:11 am
Location: Western North Carolina
Contact:

Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying

Post by Josh Holbrook »

Heavy rains and 47 degrees the other night here, Bill - about 1,600 ft. Lots of wood frogs, no salamanders :-/
User avatar
BillMcGighan
Posts: 2362
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:23 am
Location: Unicoi, TN

Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying

Post by BillMcGighan »

wish the woods would have been a tad earlier...
Yeah, Chris. You saw how tiny that puddle is and you saw it at its seasonal lowest; it's never empty.
Now we want to see some more Alabama adults!

Y'all live in a gorgeous place, it appears.
Thanks,Tamara. Again, you and Ray are welcome any time; same to any of the folks that we have met on NAFHA outings.

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.)
Heavy rains and 47 degrees the other night here, Bill - about 1,600 ft. Lots of wood frogs
Great to know they’re in your area.

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”?
User avatar
Rich in Reptiles
Posts: 494
Joined: November 30th, 2012, 7:45 am
Location: Missouri

Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying

Post by Rich in Reptiles »

The wood frog chorus is beautiful!
User avatar
Josh Holbrook
Posts: 2196
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 8:11 am
Location: Western North Carolina
Contact:

Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying

Post by Josh Holbrook »

BillMcGighan wrote: PS
More important, when do we call you “Dad”?
May 12th is the due date. :beer:
User avatar
Daniel D Dye
Posts: 1220
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:56 pm
Location: New River (Brooker), Florida
Contact:

Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying

Post by Daniel D Dye »

We hope to call Tennessee home by the end of 2016, Bill. Can't wait to see all the cool stuff.
User avatar
Josh Holbrook
Posts: 2196
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 8:11 am
Location: Western North Carolina
Contact:

Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying

Post by Josh Holbrook »

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.
User avatar
JakeScott
Posts: 690
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 5:26 pm
Location: Gainesville, FL
Contact:

Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying

Post by JakeScott »

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
User avatar
Noah M
Posts: 2293
Joined: November 3rd, 2012, 7:00 pm
Location: Gainesville, FL
Contact:

Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying

Post by Noah M »

Lovely post. Spring has definitely sprung.

DORs of any kind are a heartbreaking. :(
User avatar
BillMcGighan
Posts: 2362
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 9:23 am
Location: Unicoi, TN

Re: Spring is trying here in the mountains, very trying

Post by BillMcGighan »

Beth
The wood frog chorus is beautiful! They’re especially beautiful when you’re staring at ice and snow for a while!
Their range comes close to your area. Ever see them down your way?


JH
May 12th is the due date.
Super… This event will change your life for the better.



DDD
We hope to call Tennessee home by the end of 2016,
That’s so great, Daniel.
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
But the breeding eruption is a fun sight.
You got that right, Jake.
The most exciting I’ve seen, but much further north, was a Spotted Salamander “boiling frenzy”.




Da CPT
DORs of any kind are a heartbreaking.
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.
Post Reply