When you are at Arabia Mountain, you need to keep your eyes AND ears open! Look and listen!
My husband and I were at Arabia Mountain on the first weekend of January. It was just after a heavy rain and water was cascading down the rock as we began to climb. The sun was shining on the water that collected in the rock pools and the sun was so bright upon them that it looked as if there were silvery white cloths strewn over the mountain.
To our amazement, we heard frogs as we were walking (remember, this was on January 4th!) and they were so loud, that Richard tried to record them. Funny, as soon as he began recording, their sound became muted, still making the same noise but very much at a lower level. I still found a clip on YouTube though! If you read about them, it states that their chorus is similar to sleigh bells, a very beautiful sound! They were Spring peepers. (Pseudacris crucifer). Interesting to me, the "crucifer" part of the name comes from the large x shape on their backs, like a cross..."crucifer" means "cross bearing".
No matter where you are in the world, I say look for nature and listen for it as well!
January is very early to hear peepers. It must have been exciting for you.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great way to see in the New Year!
DeleteAnd after reading about them, the name "spring" peepers is a misnomer for the South, as they have their chorus even in the winter!
I adore these little creatures. The sound they make is music to my ears! What a gorgeous photo that is on the mountain.
ReplyDeleteI tried to see the frogs but I could only hear them. And glad you like the photo too. Taken by my husband, and he admires YOUR photos also!
DeleteOh wow! That's loud! People on the Big Island are having problems with a small frog called the coqui. I'm afraid NO ONE likes them because they are super loud.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I think that I have read that they are a big problem in Hawaii. Is it native? Or has something upset the balance?
DeleteI'm pretty sure they are not native, but some pet that someone let loose.
DeleteIt's why I NEVER wear headphones while I'm walking. Several reasons, actually, one being that it's easier to hear the speeding bicyclists coming up behind you so you can get out of their way. But I want to hear nature just as I see it. If you are listening to music from an ipod, you won't hear the music coming from all around you. Noel Paul Stookey said that there's two ways to miss things. One is if the world goes by too fast, and the other is if *we* go by too fast. I would rather hear the chipmunk scurrying through the underbrushes, or the the rabbits, then to miss them entirely.
ReplyDeleteHey Denzil!
DeleteHeadphones are an invention of the devil! And to see people wearing them when we are out walking in nature makes me very sad. For one thing, you often will hear a bird before you ever see it...if you have headphones, you miss out on a lot!
Our frogs in the creek make a massive chorus, but they don't usually start singing until at least March. They begin at dusk and go until late -- maybe all night. They sing until mid summer I think.
ReplyDeleteWe used to have our own frogs just across from our house, there was some deep woods...but all was cleared for houses and now, sadly, the frog chorus is much reduced. (There is a small creek so they are not all gone.)
DeleteThere aren't enough frogs around my neighbourhood to hear them when I am at home, but when I am out for a walk, I know a place where they usually give big concerts in the spring :-) It's still a little too early and too cold for them now, though.
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky to be that far south enough, I guess, to have our frogs during the winter months! I read that the little spring peeper can completely freeze which just amazes me.
DeleteGive it a kiss and see if a prince appears.
ReplyDeleteI love nature but I will leave the kissing of frogs to others! :-)
DeleteThat must have been a wonderful day on the Mountain. Frogs!? At certain times of the year we have thousands of them. This on an island, that 10 years ago did not have frogs at all. How did they get here? Did a loving pair hitch a lift on the ferry! Now that is something to ponder on a cold, snowy Monday morning. Ten minutes ago there was no sign of snow and now we have a thick covering - such is life on the Isle of Lewis. Looking forward to the first hike up "our" mountain. x
ReplyDeleteThousands of frogs? That is amazing! And just as you were typing your comment, you got a thick layer of snow? Oh lucky you, as long as you don't have to go anywhere! I too am ready to go back to Stone Mountain, I miss it when I can't get to it! xx
DeleteGosh, I never heard of mountain frogs before, let alone heard them! xx
ReplyDeleteArabia Mountain is called a mountain, but it is really a MONADNOCK! I have written about these "mountains" in our area, they are truly beautiful and you will see lots more about them!
DeleteHow delightful to hear peepers. There are none here for sure. Everything is still very frozen. Being out in nature is always wonderful and there is much to see and hear. I can hardly wait to get out and enjoy some sun and warmth again.
ReplyDeleteWe have had a mild winter but we have had some cold, rainy days and that makes it hard to get out in nature like we want to!!
DeleteHere in Hawaii, the government is trying to get rid of coqui frogs that make so much noise. So far, those frogs have not invaded my neighborhood, thank goodness.
ReplyDeleteI do wonder about the coqui frog, what has caused this problem? If it was brought to Hawaii and had no natural predators, then perhaps that is why it has increased in population?
DeleteWe heard them Friday night, hope they don't freeze their little hinnies off.
ReplyDeleteOh! The funny thing, they DO freeze but then, they thaw out when it warms up! Sounds about like me! LOL!
DeleteI love frogs and I love hearing them. After all the rain we had a couple of weeks ago ours here were out in full chorus. I love the sounds of nature.
ReplyDeleteI have a little bleating tree frog that often takes up residence in my bathroom...I've named him "Hieronymus"...and I just think he's wonderful, and I get great joy when he comes to visit and stays a while. He usually visits when rain hasn't been around.
Hi Kay! I just adore Spring Peepers. Soph and I were introduced to them last year on our Bird Walk. Now I'd recognize their sweet little calls anywhere!!! XOXO
ReplyDeleteWish I could have been on that bird walk with you! I love to go on nature walks with people who are very knowledgeable about the subject. When we were at Panola Mountain, the guide knew a lot of birds just by their songs. I loved that!
DeleteSome frogs make the prettiest sounds! It's a joy to listen for them.
ReplyDeleteI know! I love them.
DeleteWe have had a false spring this February. The orchards have started to bloom and now we have had some nights in the teens: terrible for orchards. Too early. Arabia Mountain seems like a special miracle of nature. Love the frogs!
ReplyDeleteWe have had a false spring this February. The orchards have started to bloom and now we have had some nights in the teens: terrible for orchards. Too early. Arabia Mountain seems like a special miracle of nature. Love the frogs!
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope the orchards will be okay!
Delete"A special miracle of nature"...I really think that it is, I truly do.
Beautiful frogs! We won't hear them for a while, but spring is on it's way! I completely agree with your about nature and its healing powers. Such a beautiful world we are blessed with.......!
ReplyDeleteNature and its healing powers, I am in need of it right now!
DeleteLiving in SE Georgia (Pierce county) we have Spring Peepers too. Singing frogs can be a melodious prelude to Spring, can't they. I feel God in nature, so, I never wear earphones or listen to music when outside. I might miss something like a pretty bird or interesting moth. My nearly constant companions are a digital camera and my husband. We enjoy bird watching above all things. In fact, we've made several trips to Texas and other States just to see different birds. Their songs are my music. Our second hobby is motorcycling. Very nice blog. Y'all have a blessed day. ~:)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, my husband and I love our birds too, very much! I once lived in St. Mary's when I was a teenager, so I know where you are located and I know you have the wildlife!
DeleteThank you for reading my blog and commenting. You have made my day!
If that's muted it must have been really loud at full tilt! My own wee Scottish frogs have been active in the back garden between snow showers so I can expect to be a "Spawn Daddy" again soon. Even after raising up 1000 over 7 years tadpoles still amaze me.:o) Nature Rocks.
ReplyDeleteThe frogs were very loud but melodic, all at the same time! Nature rocks! I so agree! :-)
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