Today we have another “spot the” feature from Robert Lang, whose commentary is indented below. Spot the two frogs! There will be a reveal at 11 a.m. Chicago time.
The last two days on early-morning hikes, I’ve encountered literally dozens of tiny frogs hopping across the trail—so many that I had to watch my step to avoid them. Fortunately, on the light, sandy trail, they stand out pretty well, but once they get into the leaf litter on either side, they practically vanish. Today I brought my phone-camera on the hike, which means that it’s time for yet another “Spot the Froggies!”
My previous “Spot the Froggies” were California Tree Frogs (Pseudacris cadaverina), whose gray color made for perfect camouflage against streambed granite. I think these might be California Toads (Anaxyrus boreas halophilus)—I’ve seen full-size adults of the latter in this area, and I think I make out the beginnings of the white stripe running down the back of these subadults. I invite firm IDs from our herpetological expert fellow readers. These were taken along the Arroyo Seco, above JPL [Jet Propulsion Laboratory] in Pasadena.
Here’s the “Spot-the” photo; there are two frogs in the picture (though it wouldn’t surprise me if there were more that I overlooked). Also attached is a close-up of one on my hand. (That’s his left leg extended, not a tadpole tail.)
Click to enlarge (I rate this “fairly easy”). Please don’t reveal where they are in the comments, but you’re welcome to tell us if you found them, and how many you saw.
Again, reveal at 11 a.m. Chicago time.
It’s too early for me to read today’s Hili Dialog here on the left coast—not enough coffee yet—but how can I resist a Spot Me feature? I couldn’t!
27 seconds (assuming I spotted actual toads and not leaves impersonating toads, but I’m not sure).
I think I got.
Toads aplenty in the Arroyo Seco https://www.instagram.com/reels/DYkR0bwvGYt/
You deserve a lot of credit and admiration for all the work you do with/for the ducks. I always look forward to reading your accounts. They are lucky to have you as a friend.
Found, lost, and found again. I found them in the magnified picture, but lost them when I zoomed out because I didn’t know what part of the picture I had zoomed into! I hope I’m not celebrating the spotting of a couple of pebbles.