This week for our Handbook of Nature Study – OHC #6 – Frogs – We were sent to the yard in the evening to listen to the sounds of Frogs.  As we have lived with American Bull Frogs for the last 6 years, we skipped all of lifecycle part – and thought we would do a –

Listening Observing at Dusk Scavenger Hunt for Frogs.

So far – we have yet to see one itsy bitsy little tree frog.  I know I have a few friends in Central Oregon that will find it hard to believe that the little Pebbles could not find Amphibians.  I hang my head. It is true. We did give it our best Petra School effort.

In the mean time we were able to take her advice:
”If you do not have access to tadpoles or frogs, take your fifteen minutes outdoors at sundown and see what you can find that interests your child. Continue your previous challenge activities or follow the lead of your child and see what adventures you can have in the twilight.”

Well.  Adventure? Walking in the woods in the dark? Interesting things?  Gotcha.

If you are like my mom – Her summary was – “We went to 6 place and we found Nothin.” – The End. 

But – I take after my Dad – and his summary was – “I don’t think you can ever have too many pictures . . .”

We’ll test their theories today – I present – Frog Scavenger Hunt in 3 walks:
(Click on a Walk to Jump – or Scroll through)

Forest Walk

Where we Listened :

We are blessed to have open right of way space between the house to the south. Two streams flow from the open BLM land into the lake.  There are no houses above us to the East – so the stream is really lovely. Frogs Right?  Um. Nope.

What we Found:
Boat Motor, Plants, Moss, Bottles, Feathers, Helpful Neighbors, Field of Flowers, Stink Weed, Fresh Elk Trail, New Life in an old growth stump.

Lake Walk

Where we observed:
A 10 minute walk to the south brings us to Sand Point Loop – 10 minutes to the north brings us to Neotsu Creek.

We discovered:

48 people counted swimming in an area that was vacant for the winter, Mud Tracks sliding down hill for raccoons, dragon flies.

City Walk

We asked the director of the Devil’s Lake Water Management Team if he knew where to find frogs in Lincoln City – and he mentioned the Shore Pines – and we talked about the pond at the Connie Hansen Garden.

What we Observed:

A lot of plant life the ponds, but little animal evidence, A LARGE shore pine forest, a natural jungle gym, interesting flowers, bamboo, and the closest thing that looked like a frog in the reflection of the pond.

What we learned:

I asked the boys what they learned from all of this, on the fly while they walked by me typing, and Nate’s first response was that it was a waste of time – his goal was to find frogs. He said he had fun finding new places and liked the fun walks through the forests – and liked the new fact that the fish eat the frogs.  Jon said he liked the elk trail and tracks and the “treehouse” that our neighbor carved out of a trunk.

I learned that we only have Tree Frogs here in Lincoln County – and that they mostly only make noise in the Spring when they are calling for mates.  That after they have their family they keep pretty quiet due to the abundance of fish and birds.  I learned that they seldom go back to the water after growth.

My neighbor told a story of she and her daughter looking for frogs, hearing one -  trying to track it, when it suddenly when up high and to the right. They spotted a blue heron croaking in the sky – frog visible in the throat. 🙂

I think we will be giving up on the frog hunts around town. 🙂