On Friday we did our final frog and toad survey for this year. I figured we would have a great night and we did. While I was preparing to leave and bringing food out to my chickens two crazy loud blue jays were chasing something in the sky. I looked up and there, only 8 feet above my head, was a barred owl. Wow! Right above my head? A barred owl? That was a crazy good omen. After dinner at Freddies in Mora we went out on our prescribed path through the swamps of Kennebec County. While traffic on Highway 169 and 23 was horrendous the traffic on our route was exceptionally light making it easier to hear the frogs. We heard tree frogs and green frogs. We heard one spring peeper who had an amazing amount of energy and enthusiasm. Normally, with the water temperature being up to 70 degrees, a spring peeper is quiet but not this spring peeper. The fire flies were putting on quite a spectacular show. On this route on this night we heard more mink frogs than ever before. We heard them at three spots and they were the spots with open water and lily pads. I don't think mink frogs like the rushes as much as the lily pads, more comfortable seating do doubt. With their bright green lips they make a sound like horse hooves on cobblestone. To know what they sound like you must either watch an old movie or come to a lake in Kennebec county that has lily pads and listen. Mink frogs are found only in seven states and Minnesota is the western edge of their territory. Canada has a lot of mink frogs too but it could be the species is in decline.
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