We left just as it was getting dark and got to our Plymouth County spot at around 9:30 PM or so. It was sprinkling and the road was wet and very steamy... perfection. Our first encounter was a large American Toad who was skritching into the asphalt to get every drop of warmth.
Unfortunately, cars that go through not looking for frogs might hit them and sadly, we do always see a number of casualties. The local birds are the clean-up crew the next morning.
Next up was a tiny Peeper. When I tell you we're looking close, you'd best believe it.
Look at how red this Wood Frog is!
A low slung Peeper.
The other Massachusetts toad, the Fowler's, with two representatives.
Things were looking pretty good already, and we'd barely just started.
The frog of the night was definitely the Green Frog. We saw dozens and dozens of them, all roughly the same size, about 2 1/2 inches long, and all noggin. Probably all pretty new to land.
I shooed countless individuals off of the road.
Of course, the big reason we choose this road for our cruising (besides it being more isolated than most) is the Gray Tree Frog, an animal we just can't find close to home. We'd been hearing them calling the whole time we were there and finally, one was out for pictures. Our First-of-Year.
Our next was a large Gray that hopped onto Andrea.
Look at the size of this Green's melon!
While I was photographing Lil' Big Head there, Andrea noticed a Redback crossing the road. Are those scars on his back?
This Redback was ridin' the middle line.
I love shooing them out of the road... they squiggle at top speed and it's hilarious.
Like Grays, we'd heard tons of Bullfrogs calling. There was finally one visible.
He looks like a Simpsons character.
Hey look... I finally took a break from my 3/4 and side shots. Here's a full frontal Gray.
We were heading back by now. We still stopped frequently to move animals out of the road, mostly Greens and Fowlers. This large American Toad was walking... not hopping... across the road.
Two more Grays showing me that I really have to learn to try different camera angles.
Yes, they are different frogs.
I'd put a moratorium on Green Frog pictures earlier but since I had to run way back to get this guy relocated (and he was so cute), here he is.
One last Gray before the moratorium...
FOY to on moratorium all in one night! That's the sign of perfect frog weather.
Last up was another gorgeous, red Wood Frog.
Sure, we didn't get home until late but that was a Phibtastic evening. Eight species photographed. Mission accomplished.
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