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A trio of late summer's nocturnal choristers

By JIM NIGRO

Don't let the green-color phase fool you. This gray tree frog normally lives high in the trees and descends at night only to chorus or breed. He doesn't have a far reaching call; it's more like a soft trill.

Unlike its web-footed cousins, tree frogs have toe pads, appendages with an adhesive-like quality that great enhances their climbing and clinging skills. 

Katydids are nocturnal and, for the most part, tree dwellers. Rarely seen but heard on any warm evening in August and September, katydids don't have a voice, but instead create their noted sound - kaytdid, kaytdidn't - by rubbing part of their wings or legs together.

A good example of why the katydid is difficult to spot. They've been sounding off with exuberance for the last week or so, a reminder that autumn is nigh.

The largest of North Americn frogs, the bullfrog, has a far-reaching call that is said to be heard for more than a quarter mile. And I can attest to that. I can easily recall lying in my bunk at Y camp and hearing the bullfrogs "talking" non-stop, their call carrying across the water from the swamp at the south end of the lake. 

As you can see, the bullfrog's shade of green will vary. Both frogs pictured in this post are indeed fortunate fellas. Both live in very close proximity to the two water snakes you may have read about in my last post.

I've enjoyed the sound produced by the critters pictured here since childhood. Add to the list many others...loons, owls, migrating geese, etc. Nature's nocturnal sound is limitless...and I can't say I have a favorite. I enjoy them all -- with one exception -- the buzzing of a mosquito!

Ron C Welker

Once again nice pictures Jim, you are the master! oops Howard you are also a master of this art. I haven't seen a tree frog since I was fourteen and climbing trees for sport. Funny I ran into you this am to say hello and sit down a few minutes later to enjoy your photographs, nice seeing you.

Ron

Sep 5, 2014, 11:03am Permalink
Mardell Lamb

Cool pics, Jim! I don't think I've ever seen a tree frog. I caught some salamanders down by a creek in Freedom while visiting my Aunt. (About 45 yrs. ago!)

Wow, those katydids sure blend in with the leaves. Probably why I've never seen one. Used to love finding a praying mantis now & then. They seem to be the same bright green.

I like the sounds of crickets at night...it's comforting (except when one finds its way in the house & you can't find it.)

Hey, have a great weekend Jim & Claudia!

Sep 5, 2014, 1:47pm Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Hi Mardell....speaking of crickets, I wish I had a dollar for every cricket and grasshopper I caught in and around our southside neighborhood in the 1950's. Discovered mud puppy salamanders after moving to the northside. In hindsight it seems that as a youngster, after school let out for summer, it became time for "outdoor classroom." You could say I had a gifted tutor. Her name was Faith Davis Nigro, she had once been a school teacher in the rural south. I was blessed to have been a part of her life - I'd like to share more with you in a future post.

p.s. thank you!

Sep 5, 2014, 2:22pm Permalink
Mardell Lamb

I'd like that, Jim.

Was Faith Davis Nigro a relative, perhaps?

The salamanders we caught were pink. I remember that so vividly (I loved their color) & couldn't wait to take it back to show my mother. She didn't seem as excited as I was. Ha!

Sep 5, 2014, 2:53pm Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Mardell, she was my aunt, married to my father's oldest brother, Jim Nigro. She was a down home country girl with a friendly countenance and with each passing year my memories of her become more meaningful.

Sep 6, 2014, 8:35am Permalink

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