Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Another "First" for Me

A couple weeks ago we put the trail cameras up in our deer hunting area and we went down to check for pictures tonight after supper (no pictures--in case you're wondering). As we were walking along the edge of the cornfield and back to the truck, I happened to notice a strange green bump on a milkweed plant........can you see it??

Here's the "zoom" shot of a Cope's Gray Treefrog (green phase). How cute is that??
I think they're pretty abundant in Minnesota, but I've never seen one of these frogs before in my life. Be sure to click on the link above to learn more about them. They're quite the amazing little creature.


13 comments:

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

He's absolutely beautiful!
I think it looks like a pretty jade carving.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What a lucky find Ruthie. It blends in so well with its choice of perches.

Kelly said...

Very cool....I hear tree frogs at night singing in the trees and bushes, but have not seen one on a leaf during the day. Great find!

KGMom said...

I have read so much about how frogs are the new canaries in the mine--suffering the effects of global climate change, or something--that I am always THRILLED when I see one.

RuthieJ said...

Hi Lynne,
The frog never moved on that leaf. I had everything I could do to not try and pick it up!

Hi Lisa,
It was so amazing -- about the last thing I ever expected to see on a milkweed plant!

Hi Kelly,
This one never made a peep, but it was alive.....I could see its little throat moving when I moved in close for a better look.

Hi Donna,
It's been a pretty cool summer here and I don't know if that's better for frogs or not, but this one looks a little chilly with all its toes tucked underneath, don't you think?

troutbirder said...

Fantastic! A lifer indeed. You get the spotter of the month award Ruthie.

Jayne said...

His coloring is so interesting. So well camouflaged there on the leaf. :c)

Anonymous said...

Cute frog as any frog can be, especially by another frog. You sure can find unusual things on your trips to the woods. Thanks!

MOM

barefoot gardener said...

I agree with Lynne...his color is just perfect, and he is so cute!

RuthieJ said...

Thanks Ray. I owe it all to my Master Naturalist training--I'm much more observant than I used to be.

You got that right Jayne! I think it's really neat that these tree frogs are able to change their colors with their environment.

Thanks Mom. I sure wished I would've had the camera along a few weeks ago when we were out there and I spotted a garter snake curled up on a big ol' burdock leaf. That was really neat too.

Thanks Barefoot -- this frog's a cutie for sure!

Gaelyn said...

You have a good eye. It is cute.

Criquette said...

How cute is that frog? I have heard bullfrogs near my yard, but saw one for the first time in the stream in back of my house!

Dawn Fine said...

Such a very cool looking frog..
I have never seen one of those either..humm maybe we might look for one this weekend,