A peep and a trill

On the road again!

This seems to be my life and will continue to be for a while until I have completed my every Ontario herp in 2017 goal. Every drive is done with a purpose and has been successful so far. This trip did not fall short of just that.

This was a trip to find chorus frogs. I have been running out of time to find these little frogs and with that being an issue at hand I had to make a long trip to see them with my friend Taylor Kennedy where I knew I would reliably be able to see some. Long story short I ended up driving 3.5 hours to Fenelon Falls and then another 3.5 hours back home. That drive wouldn't have been too bad if the drive home wasn't from midnight to 3:30 a.m.! 

Anyway, like I said and always say, the long drive is worth it when you get rewarded with sights of herp species like these guys:

Chorus Frog - Fenelon Falls

Chorus Frog - Fenelon Falls
 
Chorus Frog - Fenelon Falls


Chorus Frog - Fenelon Falls

 I do want to point out that these are all titled as "Chorus Frog" and that there's a reason for that. No I am not confused as to which species they are... the government and professionals are! The chorus frogs in Southern Ontario that were all originally thought to have been considered "Western Chorus Frogs" have recently discovered to be two different populations in that each population seems to have a different genetic lineage. The chorus frogs in the extreme southern parts of Ontario have genetic lineage of the Western Chorus Frog whereas the chorus frogs north of lake Ontario seem to have the Boreal Chorus Frog ancestry in their genes.

I am not entirely sure what the end result of this confusion will be but it seems that once COSEWIC does another update on the chorus frogs that the frogs will be divided into two species names according to their genetic heritage. According to this, the frogs in these pictures would actually be considered Boreal but for now, until COSWEIC updates their information, they will remain as Westerns. Also, not all populations have been sampled for this genetic heritage so there is chance (I believe?) for these chorus frogs to still be considered Westerns.

Chorus Frog - Fenelon Falls
Chorus Frog - Fenelon Falls


Chorus Frog - Fenelon Falls

 After searching in the dark for the trills of the "chorus frogs" Taylor and I decided to try and find some Spring Peepers to get some photographs of them as well as the opportunity had presented itself. And this is where the peeping came in. Much easier to locate, we were able to find many Peepers and get some nice photographs of them.

Spring Peeper - Fenelon Falls

The one above seemed to have an exceptionally strong cross on its back, representing their latin name very well (Pseudacris crucifer).

Spring Peeper - Fenelon Falls

Spring Peeper - Fenelon Falls

Spring Peeper - Fenelon Falls

Spring Peeper - Fenelon Falls

Spring Peeper - Fenelon Falls

Spring Peeper - Fenelon Falls

And of course the profile shots!

One of my goals this year is to get a side profile of as many species as possible.

Hope you enjoyed, there is lots more to come. The next post will include multiples reptilian species and not just amphibians this time!

Cheers,

- Ryan

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