Highs in the upper 60’s during the day made this evening a solid night for monitoring some local ponds. I came prepared with chest waders, so no more leaky boots like Sat. night! With Leopard frogs calling already, I thought I would focus on them tonight. Leopard frogs call while partially submerged and they have a unique growl followed by several grunts. Their call doesn’t carry as far as peepers and their vocal pouches run along their cheeks and extend beyond their shoulders similar to Wood frogs which are also calling now. The eggs are at the surface of the water and when first laid, appear as clumps vs. strings like the American toad.

Leopard frog egg mass.

The spots on the Leopard frog vary from individual to individual.

Not sure what the bumps on this fellows vocal sack indicate.

Good thing the chest waders have built in boots with thick soles!

This little one was making it’s way across the towpath.

I believe this is a fishing spider, note the air bubble. It has a built in air tank!