What's amazing about Wood frogs is that they can freeze solid for months with no heartbeat, and when it warms up, they pop back to life. Great research about this is being done at Miami U. in Oxford. When I studying there, we got to go inside big freezers and check out things like frozen wood frogs and frozen turtles that were waiting for spring. The adaptations that some of these animals have is really amazing.
Yes, they sure do look cold and seemed unable/unwilling to move--a fairly cooperative photo subject, though the glare from the crystal surface above created a little difficulty for me! I'd guess they're some of the individuals I heard calling several nights ago, in the 70 degree weather we had--and saw floating, sprawled across the surface of this vernal pool, looking for mates. I counted 10 males and 2 females at that time. Apparently they may stay in amplexis for several days. I think they may have overwintered on land nearby, beneath leaf litter? And go to the pool only for breeding? (not sure)
I'm pleasantly surprised to find them so "active" in the cold. I guess in my mind I lump amphibains and reptiles together and assume heat is necessary to get them moving!
It's just neat to see this window into their lives so close at hand!
I love the photo, and no, I didn't see anything until the last close up. I agree with everyone else here - it makes me cold to the core just thinking about sitting in that ice, adaptation or no adaptation.
Winning image for the Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp competition!
The 2012 OWLStamp will be available for sale March 1, 2012 through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website and nature organizations across the state. Proceeds of the OWLStamp benefit wildlife conservation, research & education projects within the state of Ohio! I'm thrilled to have provided the winning image for such a wonderful program!
The Adventures of Red Canoe
Come along in Red Canoe as she explores the quiet backwater of Ohio's State Parks and the scenic streams and rivers of the Midwest. Discover the beauty hidden beyond the water's edge, quietly waiting, past access points, often only inches deep!
Grabbing every minute I can find to be outside--walking in it, sleeping in it ... breathing it in. The natural world has so much beauty to uncover.
It is my hope that by capturing my experiences with nature and by sharing the richness it adds to an ordinary life, others may discover the greatest gift waiting just outside their door.
In Spring of 2008, I began the study of 2 vernal pools on my property as part of theOhio Vernal Pool Partnershipmonitoring program.My2008 journalincludes the first photos and findings, as I studied this fascinating wetland area just a few steps beyond my backdoor...
2009 photos and findings,2010,... again!Now, 4 years later, another season is just days away!
A regularly appearing feature, "Have you seen..." takes a closer, more patient look at things usually not seen in a flattering light.Take a look!
The Sweetness of Spring
Each spring, as winter lessens its grip and days warm with the first fragrant breezes of a new season, we collect sap from our Sugar Maples and produce just enough syrup for ourselves for the coming year. The progress of this year's backyard endeavor is illustrated here.
A Bird's Life
Summer 2008, the tiny jewel of the avian world, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, nested just feet from my front door. Pictures of her nest and the changing lives within are collected in thisjournal.From life the size of a pea....
“If facts are the seeds that later produce knowledge and wisdom, then the emotions and the impressions of the senses are the fertile soil in which the seeds must grow.” ~Rachel Carson
12 comments:
Oh My Gosh. The poor little things. They look so cold. Brrrrr
Wow! Those are very interesting. Have they been there all winter or are they starting to move around with the sunny days?
Nina-
What's amazing about Wood frogs is that they can freeze solid for months with no heartbeat, and when it warms up, they pop back to life. Great research about this is being done at Miami U. in Oxford. When I studying there, we got to go inside big freezers and check out things like frozen wood frogs and frozen turtles that were waiting for spring. The adaptations that some of these animals have is really amazing.
The first picture - knocked my socks off. What a window. What a view.
Absolutely beautiful photos.
I often wondered how these little creatures survived under the ice.
It's just amazing!
Yes, they sure do look cold and seemed unable/unwilling to move--a fairly cooperative photo subject, though the glare from the crystal surface above created a little difficulty for me!
I'd guess they're some of the individuals I heard calling several nights ago, in the 70 degree weather we had--and saw floating, sprawled across the surface of this vernal pool, looking for mates. I counted 10 males and 2 females at that time. Apparently they may stay in amplexis for several days. I think they may have overwintered on land nearby, beneath leaf litter? And go to the pool only for breeding? (not sure)
I'm pleasantly surprised to find them so "active" in the cold. I guess in my mind I lump amphibains and reptiles together and assume heat is necessary to get them moving!
It's just neat to see this window into their lives so close at hand!
Great photos Nina thanks for sharing
WOW! Poor guys :S
Cooooooold... brrrr
Doing it in the ice CAN'T be fun.
Talk about a frog being in the wrong place at the wrong time! Ugg . . . . !
I love the photo, and no, I didn't see anything until the last close up. I agree with everyone else here - it makes me cold to the core just thinking about sitting in that ice, adaptation or no adaptation.
What cool photos!
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