Waiting for the frogs to sing

As it warms, our wetland vernal ponds are still holding a lot of water, and the surrounding moist and mesic-moist soil is thoroughly saturated.

Wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) will be the first to begin singing, and they will begin breeding with the first warm rain, sometimes while there is still ice on the ponds. Most interesting, they are found further north than any other North American reptile or Amphibian.

Photo by Karen Fancl