Not only are the daffodils finally opening, but we’ve seen some other sure signs of spring around here recently!
Luke’s raincoat is out, and true to my word we’ve been getting out walking even on some rainy days! One particular morning I was thrilled as we walked down our trail and heard the wood frogs croaking away. When I was a teenager, we always heard the spring peepers (also frogs) and my Mom took that as the first true sign of spring. To this day I listen for them every spring, and love their sweet song. However, when we built our last house and had some wet areas in the spring, we learned that there were other frogs that were a sign of spring as well. We actually call them “croakers” as their sound is far more what you would expect from a frog than the sweet singing of the peepers.
Now we listen for both wood frogs and spring peepers, and we usually find that the croakers are first to be heard. Both species of frogs make their homes in spring vernal pools (temporary pools of water that provide habitat for certain plants and animals). They are among the first amphibians to emerge for breeding in the spring, right when the snow melts. We are lucky to have many of these vernal pools on our property, and this year we’ve heard the wood frogs in one area, and then the peepers in another. When Luke and I took our rainy day walk last week, I decided to take a little video so you could hear the wood frogs if you never have before, or if you just enjoy hearing them like we do! Be sure to turn your volume up to hear them well!
What do you consider the first true sign of spring where you live? Do you have vocal frogs?
When we see one one of the sand hill cranes and that means it’s mate is sitting on a nest. We have lots of frog noises too I enjoy listening to them as well.
The cranes must be beautiful!!
I’m not sure I have any one thing that quantifies Spring to me. For me, I just know.
I also love the peepers. We have some not too far from the house, and I love coming home at night, with the car windows open just so I can hear their song.
Yes, that’s the best! We always have certain areas where you hear them when driving by.
Super-cool! I live in a pretty arid place and we don’t get to hear many frogs. I enjoyed the video! Thanks!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it!!
Spring here can be very short-lived. The daffodils and hyacinth are usually the first to bloom. We planted tomatoes a couple days ago!
Oh, tomatoes in already, aren’t you lucky! I have some started but won’t be able to put them out until after Memorial Day.
I LOVE the symbolization of Spring!
I enjoy listening to the frogs croak too. The first sign of spring here is the daffodils.
I think they are a favorite flower of many people!
I loved hearing those frogs!
Yesterday evening we saw bats for the first time since the autumn – that has to be a good sign!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Oh, yes, bats….those are a good one as well!
Things greening up, leaves starting to come out and turn that nice light green, those are some signs of spring I look for, but that never happens til May! More birds about and geese and ducks flying around. Always look forward to hearing geese and of course Loons for the first time! But peepers is a definite must have, always wait and look forward to hearing them. That’s funny though, Jan, about the “croakers” and the fact that you usually hear those first? I seem to remember that even from your other house too, but for me, I have never heard them first-I always hear peepers first, then the wood frogs it seems like. In fact, I used to think that deeper sound was the peepers grown up, ha-ha!!
That’s funny!
Yes, the geese and ducks flying over are definitely a great sign, and of course, the loons. I haven’t heard one yet this year though. They usually fly over here; I think traveling between Canaan St. Lake and Goose Pond. But maybe they don’t do that until after nesting season.
I loved that video!!! It’s cool to hear the sounds of the forest in other parts of the world. We don’t have wood frogs here but we have spring peepers. I tend to think of the waking up of the bears as the true start of spring here, although it can snow many times after spring starts here!
We had a lot of spring snow here this year too. But I can’t believe it’s spring until that finally stops! 🙂
this is sooo cool! What a wonderful place you have to walk. Loved the frogs! I think the first sign of Spring for us is that we go directly from winter to summer lol, tomorrow it is supposed to be 80 WTF??
We always get those summer days in early spring here too. We had a couple, but I think now we’re back to normal spring temperatures!
Spring is springing here too! The first sign is usually when our magnolia tree blooms…and it’s blooming right now! (Really late this year.)
I think our neighbors at our old house used to have a magnolia tree- it was gorgeous! Here you see a lot more flowering crabapple trees, but those are usually a bit later.
We are pretty lucky that our seasons are mostly Spring(from February through September) and Fall(from September through January). Daffodils and Irises mark the beginning of Spring here!
You are lucky! Those are my two favorite seasons!
Hooray for real Spring in your neck of the woods!
For us I think it’s seeing a Robin, although sometimes that can be pretty early. Then it’s the crocus and daffodils. We had record low temps the other night but the days are sunny and warming finally! Sandra and Dolly
I’m glad you are getting some nice weather now too! I used to think robins as well, but this year the first time I saw one it was snowing out! LOL
What a cool video! Not enough water around here for frogs but enjoy the sound they make. The bleeding heart is blooming (in addition to the bulbs I planted last fall) so it seems that spring is here now to enjoy. 🌸
Oh, I love bleeding heart too! I think I have some here but it’s not blooming yet. I think it might be a later variety or something, or it’s just planted in a cool area that doesn’t get a lot of sun, so doesn’t come until later.
Cool video, Jan! Daffodils are popping up here too…thank goodness! It’s about time! 🙂
We waited long enough, didn’t we? 🙂
Mostly the daffodils popping up. And the birds building their nests. We have frogs (and toads) all year long. Shadow and Ducky chase them out of the yard. Well, really more Ducky these days – Shadow loses interest in them when they don’t move fast enough. She’d rather chase the squirrels.
Oh yes, the birds building nests – love that. I’ve seen them flying out of our barn so know they’re at it again!
I love it. Spring to me is baby animals.
That’s a wonderful one!
What a great place for a walk! Our first signs of spring are the daffodils blooming and the birds collecting nesting material. 🙂
I miss brushing our golden retriever and throwing her fur around for the birds to collect!
our first sign of spring are the flies… they suddenly are there full outgrown… I wonder were they hibernated…
we have frogs in a pond too… I love their nightly concerts… but I’m the only one in my kraal who is a fan of kermit and his crew ;O)))
What? I thought everyone loved frogs! 🙂
We are trying to forget about the bug factor, our least favorite part of spring! The worst here are the ticks and they’re out already!
Not a fan of frogs here, but we do here them sometimes when we are out and about. The grass is turning green which is a good sign for us. Enjoy your walks.
We sure have been! Yes, the grass turning green is a great sign. It’s just about time to start mowing here!