This is one of several Green Frogs that were calling in the small pond at the Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Preserve yesterday morning. The frogs are photogenic and cooperative; as long as they are facing in the right direction, it is easy to photograph them. I watched a fly buzzing around one of the frogs. It even landed on the frog's nose, but the frog did not flinch or try to grab it.
As one would expect, breeding birds were very active defending territories and feeding their young. One surprise was a male Blue-winged Warbler, which was actively foraging but not singing in the first field. I had not heard about them breeding there, but the habitat seems appropriate. Other birds in the field included an Indigo Bunting, House Wrens, and a Ruby-throated Hummingbird. Oddly enough, it was my first hummingbird of the year.
Wood thrushes were singing all along the wooded trails. They were joined by a few singing Scarlet Tanagers and Ovenbirds. A few American Robins were present but unusually silent. A Veery called neared the river. While looping back to the nature center, I saw some Tufted Titmice feeding their chicks.
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