Woodfrogs in action at last

I heard the first Wood Frogs yesterday afternoon—a chorus that many people mistake for the mutterings of annoyed ducks—but the calls didn't last and I didn't find any of the black-masked batrachians during a pond check in the evening. But this evening, the chorus was a bit stronger, and mixed in with the low quacks were the first bell-ringings of the Spring Peepers. There's still quite a bit of snow in the wetland behind the house, but in the stream that drains the main vernal that I've monitored for the past 30 years I spotted WFs. There were both solos and couples, and this betrothed pair was especially cooperative—and decidedly un-shy. The smaller male is on top; the hugely egg-laden female below has acquiesced to the guy's desire and allowed him to climb on-board. The mating posture is known to biologists as "amplexus," and if the pair can make it to the main egg-laying area together—other males will try to knock him off and replace him—he'll be the one to fertilize her eggs as they emerge. Good luck, guys.