Green Frogs at Taylor Creek: August 2020

Some years ago I stayed in a hotel in the Finger Lakes district of New York State. Just outside the window was a pond and all night long I heard a frog call consisting of a single staccato “gunk”.

The first thing I did back in Toronto was head to Sam the Record Man (you may remember that place) and purchase a recording of frog and toad calls.

The “gunk” eminates from the Green Frog.

Back in April I visited Taylor Creek Park.

On that day, I explored the western section. Today I journeyed east.

While walking, I encountered 4 boys who were intent on catching frogs (one of my favourite hobbies at their age). They didn’t catch any as I watched but they did point out the location of several Green Frogs.

Some people interpret that “gunk” sound as being similar to the sound of a banjo and refer to this frog as a “banjo” frog.

Other life:

Thanks to Ken Sproule for assistance in insect identification.

Some botany:

NATURE POETRY

“And pray, who are you?”
Said the Violet blue
To the Bee, with surprise,
At his wonderful size,
In her eyeglass of dew.
“I, madam,” quoth he,
“Am a publican Bee,
Collecting the tax
Of honey and wax.
Have you nothing for me?”       – John Bannister Tabb (1845–1909)

Miles Hearn