Amphibian-Fest in the Scotia Barrens

The day was overcast and gray. It rained in the morning and drizzled on and off for parts of the afternoon. The fridge was bare, and we had errands in town that involved restocking groceries. But when we got home, I grabbed my camera and umbrella and hiked up to the gamelands, in a quest for FROGS!

And my efforts were rewarded! The ponds are absolutely hopping with frogs, and the woods echo with the raucous, LOUD sound of all of the amphibians partying in the vernal pools. The peeper song alone could deafen you. It's amazing! But as you approach a pond, the sound dies away quickly. (Thus a peeper pond by your house might be an awesome security feature.)

I visited three vernal pools, one medium, one large, and one small. They are rocking with amphibian romances and love trysts. The frog pictured above is from the first pond I visited. It was nice that it obliged me by posing up out of the water like that. Good luck in love, froggie! Spring is the time for spawning!

This is your action news reporter, on the scene in central Pennsylvania.
Welcome to the amphibian-fest in the Scotia Barrens!

The soundtrack song is this one: Bruce Springsteen with Froggie Went A-Courtin'.