In honor of this brutally cold morning with single digit temperatures covering the state, so I couldn’t resist re-sharing probably the toastiest photo ever to grace Michigan in Pictures. Take a stroll through pics from pkHyperfocal’s Metro Parks gallery & for sure check out all their galleries on Flickr.
Stay warm!!!
It ain’t easy… by Steven Karsten
Here is an excellent update about the fungus that has been devastating frog populations since long before I shared this photo & news of chytridiomycosis back in 2011! Earth.com reports that on a new way to save frogs in Michigan & worldwide from the chytrid fungal infection. The fungus driven 90 frog species to extinction or presumed extinction in the wild and reduced the number of another 124 species by over 90%. Dr. Anthony Waddle of Macquarie University‘s Applied BioSciences (Australia) explains:
…“In the 25 years since chytrid was identified as a major cause of the global collapse of amphibian populations, our results are the first to provide a simple, inexpensive and widely applicable strategy to buffer frogs against this disease,” said Dr. Waddle.
The researchers developed artificial ‘hotspot’ shelters using readily available materials like bricks and PVC greenhouses. These structures create warm environments where frogs can raise their body temperature to levels that are uncomfortable for the chytrid fungus.
“In these simple little hotspots, frogs can go and heat up their bodies to a temperature that destroys the infections,” explained Dr. Waddle. It’s like a natural antibiotic treatment, but instead of popping pills, the frogs just need to bask in their personal saunas.
The results were remarkable. When frogs shifted to these hotspot shelters, chytrid infections were reduced significantly. This simple intervention could have far-reaching benefits for amphibian conservation efforts worldwide.
Lots more at Earth.com, and since Michigan’s 13 species of frogs & toads are not immune, fingers (and flippers) crossed that this works!!
Though Steven titled this It ain’t easy… he wrote actually, on this day, it seemed pretty easy being green. This guy was eating fly after fly as I snapped away. Must’ve had 5-6 flies in about as many minutes. He looked like lack of food was not an issue.
See more of his photos on Flickr & more frogs on Michigan in Pictures!
Dan took this photo yesterday in “perfect frog weather”. See more in his Pond Life gallery on Flickr.
More frogs on Michigan in Pictures!
Frog and His Pad by Jeff Dehmel
Sometimes you just want to chill!!
Jeff took this last August. See more in his Fall 2020 gallery & get the latest on Jeff’s Flickr!
Frog hiding in the duckweed by William Dolak
Hot weather is on tap for today – here’s hoping you find a cool spot! Bill shared this photo from Spirit Springs Sanctuary in Cass County in our Michigan in Pictures Group on Facebook. See more photos from his visit right here and consider sharing your own!
You Looking at Me?…, photo by Kevin Povenz
I had so much fun with Blackcaps: Blackberry or Black Raspberry last week that I had to try it again (spoiler alert: they were black raspberries).
What do you think, internets: is this a Northern green frog or a Michigan bullfrog? The only difference I know of between the two is that the green frog has a fold of skin from the eardrum down each side of the back.
View Kevin’s photo bigger and see more in his Animals slideshow.
mink frog-0376, photo by tifranta
Saturday was World Frog Day so let’s add another Michigan frog to the list, the Mink Frog (Rana septentrionalis) about which the DNR says:
A blotchy, spotted, greenish or brownish frog. Similar to Green Frog, but has spots or blotches instead of cross bands on the hind legs. Bright green upper lip and creamy to yellowish belly. Produces a musky, mink like odor when handled. Medium – 2 to 3 inches long.
HABITAT: Bogs, ponds, and lake edges. Remains close to permanent water.
BREEDING: June-July. Eggs laid on vegetation in deep water. Tadpoles may require more than one summer to become frogs.
VOICE: Likened to distant hammering; “Kuk, kuk, kuk, kuk, kuk.”
RANGE AND STATUS: Found throughout Upper Peninsula, but generally uncommon.
Click over to the Wisconsin Sea Grant to hear the Mink frog’s call.
View Tiffany’s photo bigger, see more in her slideshow, and follow her at Tiffany Rantanen Photography on Facebook!
More Michigan frogs on Michigan in Pictures.
Crayfish & Green Frog, photo by John Heintz Jr.
The next installment of the critically acclaimed Michigan in Pictures exclusive “Best Friends in Nature” series. I believe what these two have in common is a long list of shared predators, so this could well be a pond-side support group meeting. ;)
View John’s photo bigger and see more of his cool wildlife photos. Seriously, I feel like he’s the long-lost nephew of Doctor Doolittle when I look at his photos!
More animals on Michigan in Pictures, and also more about the Northern Green Frog.
A frog in the backyard pond, photo by jiafanxu
Anyone feeling like this at the end of the week? Fortunately, one of our last summer weekends awaits!
View Jiafanxu’s photo bigger and see more in their slideshow.
More frogs on Michigan in Pictures!
Frog, photo by Ron Abfalter
Word on the pond is that Michigan’s frogs are a little put out by all the attention my readers are paying to Michigan turtles, so here’s a little payback. The DNR’s page on Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica) says:
DESCRIPTION: A brown or tan frog with a dark band (“robber’s mask”) through the eye and a white stripe on the upper lip. Small to medium – 2 to 21/2 inches long.
HABITAT: Woodlands, wooded swamps.
BREEDING: March-April, in woodland ponds and swamps often before ice is completely melted from pond. Egg masses are globular; many females may deposit in one area, often in deepest part of pond. Tadpoles will transform about 2 months later.
VOICE: A duck like “quack,” some describe it as “a lot of chuckling.”
RANGE AND STATUS: Common in moist wooded habitats state-wide.
You can hear the quacking call of the Wood Frog in this video and also learn more about wood frogs from the UM Animal Diversity Web.
View Rob’s photo bigger and see more of his photos from thePalms Supper Club & Dharma Cafe on Flickr.
More Michigan frogs on Michigan in Pictures!
Michigan in Pictures 