Southern Leopard Frog: Rana sphenocephala

Moving in or overnight guest?

Last night as we were leaving for dinner, W noticed this Southern Leopard frog sitting on the edge of the whiskey barrel. I had my camera with me and managed to get this shot; it’ s not the greatest but it was taken in low light. When I tried to get closer, the frog slipped gracefully into the water and out of sight.

When we got back, I checked again. There it was, sitting half out of the water. I managed to get much closer and used flash to get a shot. Apparently it felt much safer in the dark. It didn’t move.

When I checked this morning, it didn’t appear to be there. Just an overnight guest, I guess.

Identification resource:
- Frogs and Toads of Georgia: Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)

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Carolina Satyr (Hermeuptychia sosybius)

The Carolina Satyr is the most common butterfly in, and around the edge of the woods in the spring.

Usually they rest with their wings folded.

Occasionally, particularly when it is cold, they will rest with open wings in a sunny spot in the woods to absorb the warmth.

Identification resources:
- West Central Georgia Butterflies by Michael Beohm: Carolina Satyr (Hermeuptychia sosybius)
- BugGuide: Carolina Satyr (Hermeuptychia sosybius)

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Lake Rescue: Treehopper (Smilia camelus)

This little guy might have gone unnoticed if it hadn’t been for it’s bright lime-green stripe. And for it’s small size, it required a considerable effort to rescue. Two rounds, in fact.

I rescued it once and, in attempting to fly off, it ended up in the water again.

Treehopper (Smilia camelus)

Finally I got it onto an oar shaft. It rode around the lake on my shoulder.

Identification resource:
- BugGuide: Treehopper (Smilia camelus)

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Cope's Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis)

Every year Cope’s Gray treefrogs (Hyla chrysoscelis) gather at small pools to breed between May and July. More than two dozen gather and lay eggs in small water containers on our patio. We see the tadpoles as they develop but rarely see them leave the water. Our patio has been the main gathering site in our area until recently when a subdivision was developed nearby and another small shallow pool area, in the form of a water retention pond, was built directly across from the corner of our property. This pond has provided another breeding pond for Upland Chorus frogs (Pseudacris feriarum) and Cope’s Gray treefrogs.

Cope's Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis) – Juvenile

Yesterday as I was photographing the Common Buckeye butterflies, I spotted this juvenile Cope’s Gray treefrog. It was about 0.5- to 0.75-inches long. It was resting in the sun so it’s color pattern is not as distinct as it would be in the shade. It had probably come from the retention pond approximately 50 yards along the road.

Identification resource:
- Frogs and Toads of Georgia: Cope’s Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis)

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Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)

Butterflies have begun to visit the flowering Buddleia davidii. Yesterday morning, more than half a dozen Common Buckeyes were working the flowers.

Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)

They were almost tame. They would fly to another flower if I got too close but then they would fly back in to a branch directly beside me. They are calm enough that I was able to take this shot with a macro lens.

Identification resources:
- West Central Georgia Butterflies by Michael Beohm: Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)
- BugGuide: Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia)

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Dragonfly: Lancet Clubtail (Gomphus exilis)

Lancet Clubtail (Gomphus exilis) - Male

You’ll have to click on this image and view the larger image to appreciate this shot and, even then, it’s difficult to see this one. I almost missed getting the shot. This dragonfly blends so well with it’s background. I saw it land but had to move around behind it to get a ‘straight-on’ shot. I didn’t keep my eyes on it while I was moving and it took some considerable effort to spot it again.

Identification resources:
- BugGuide: Lancet Clubtail (Gomphus exilis)
- Georgia Dragonfly Survey: Lancet Clubtail (Gomphus exilis)

Dragonfly: Blue Corporal (Ladona deplanata)

Blue Corporal (Ladona deplanata) - Female

Identification resources:
- BugGuide: Corporals, Genus Ladona
- Georgia Dragonfly Survey: Blue Corporal (Ladona deplanata)
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