Friday, July 24, 2015

A Northern Leopard frog drops in...

I wasn't expecting to see a frog on the rocks when I went down to look at our tiny pond, but there he was...and wow, what a green beauty! We had seen no eggs or tadpoles in the pond this spring or early summer, so he must have wandered over from the creek about 1/4 mile away for a look-see...

A Northern Leopard Frog sits on a rock beside our small pond. Just as his name suggests, he's easy to identify because of all of those leopard spots.

The spot in the middle of the frog's nose helps differentiate a Northern Leopard Frog from a Southern Leopard frog. Northern Leopards have a spot. Southerns don't.

Will he stay or will he go now? Leopard frogs can amble far and wide, up to a mile away from water, which is how he gets his nickname, Meadow Frog or Grass Frog. They are not afraid to hang out in the grass. 

If you want to learn more about the Northern Leopard Frog, click here for an article on the "Wildlife Journal, Junior" website.

7 comments:

Rick Forrestal said...

A handsome frog indeed.
Great shots.
And he looks very comfortable
having you take his portrait.

Midmarsh John said...

A snazzy frog with its spots and green back.

Kerri Farley said...

Wow - He is handsome enough to kiss! Super captures!

Mary Ann Gieszelmann said...

Very colorful! How large is he?

Sue said...

The middle photo made me smile---looks like he's contemplating whether or not he should let you live. Ha---what a grouch he is!
Have a wonderful weekend

Kelly said...

@Rick - Thanks, Rick. He was. He didn't even bat an eye. I only took a few shots and then walked away. He stayed there quite a while waiting for a fly or bug to fly or crawl his way.

@John - He is snazzy! I like your descriptions, John! :-)

@Kerri - Hahaha....a prince of frogs! Thanks, Kerri.

@Mary Ann - Hi Mary Ann! He's not huge, but not small. Big enough to stop you in your tracks, though. He was about 4 inches.

@Sue - Hahaha....you could be right! :-) Hope you had a good weekend as well, Sue!

sandy said...

wow i LOVE these photos! nice job.