Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Frogs, and their story

I learn and become more knowledgeable inch by inch every each time I go hiking, though I shall not grow further inch by inch as age gets older. Sometimes, I learn through hard finding, whereas some come easily; they invite me.

Yes, these frogs tried to make them noticeable by their call, until I got near to the pool. But how stupid I was, I could only see tadpoles, just because common sense told me to look at the water. I did not have difficulty in distinguishing their black body from the sandy base.

Where were the frogs?

They were keeping their silence to play the hide and seek game with me.


After a thorough search, I spotted them at the corner of the pool. I took their picture, felt satisfied, thus I continued with my hike. Not until I reached home, reviewed them under a bigger screen, and surprise again.

Before I continue, and before you go ahead to enlarge the next picture, please guess what I have seen. .. ... ... .... .....



Yes, I have seen two, or 2 frogs. I mean one frog each on top of the frogs you have seen as well. I first thought of the mother monkey who carries her baby and cleverly I thought I was absolutely right.

Why did they carry their baby in this manner? I know surfing Internet for an answer is one of the best way. (The monkeys do not know).

I found out I was wrong, and very wrong. (But why the size of male frogs are so small that lead me to think they are actually baby frogs).

These are what I have found:

"Once at the breeding ground, male frogs call to attract a mate, collectively becoming a chorus of frogs". "The male and female frogs then undergo amplexus. This involves the male mounting the female and gripping her (sometimes with special nuptial pads) tightly".

Then you know, they did not actually call me. They did not have any interest in me. I was too naive to assume the other way.

22 comments:

George said...

You always have such fascinating hikes. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Anonymous said...

I agree with George, your hikes are like a Mark Twain adventure. The frogs are hard to find. Good post.
Cate

cherie said...

they are kinda small, you're right...are there many different kinds of frogs in that trekking area? small creatures, big wonder...

betchai said...

haha, in the small picture, they look like just one of the leaves. thanks for the information, that was interesting what you saw.

Icy BC said...

I saw the one in the corner, but totally missed the "couple" since they look like leaves..

Unknown said...

Ha, so funny if they'd be calling you rain. Great info and post again.

Ana said...

Sounds like you went on a beautiful journey. The frogs, do that beautifully. :) (mate) It's nice to learn about them so. I love frogs and toads. They have always been within my reach. (In the toilet mostly, and in the tanker where we used to wash our clothes-Huge toads!) So pretty. In April when I was in Portugal, I went to a favourite spot, a sea village on the mouintain. It has a river flowing down to the sea. There were millions of frogs then, all in mating co-ordination. It was beautiful to watch them. They were about the same size as yours, and you could hear their mating sounds for miles, but could not see anything, until you actually kneeled over. They were camouflaged pretty good.
There is a picture on the following link of this beautiful place I speak of. http://expressiveworld.com/?p=1403

Redzlan aka Tabib said...

I can't the two frogs, or they are so well camouflage in that dead leaves. :-)

The Retired One said...

I loved that they could hide so well incognito, blending in with their environment.
Too bad humans can't do the same!?

Rick (Ratty) said...

You can see better than I do. I finally saw the frogs in your pictures, but whenever I am out all I see is tadpoles. Never any frogs. I'll begin looking at the edge of the ponds, like you say.

pixelshots said...

nice to meet a person with similar interests to me.. good work friend.. keep going.. am following your posts now.. if you like trekkin and hiking just have a visit to kerala some times.. their are forests here where eco tourism and camping inside the forests are given to tourists .. also with hiking and trekking.. cu around..

Mike said...

It reminds me of the UK and how all the frogs gather for mating. Near my home they actually close a road so the amorous reptiles don't get squashed.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Very interesting! Wonder why the sizes are that different! May be the male is evolved that way so the female can carry him?

Harshi said...

That's some surprise. The fist pic had only tadpoles right? And ya, in the 2nd pic I was able to spot (with difficulty) not just 2 frogs but 4. 2 in the middle and 2 in the top-center. They might even win a camouflaging contest! =D

Cherry said...

the frogs are camouflage that i need to enlarge the photo to be able to see them! quite an interesting post! :)

Heather Dugan ("Footsteps") said...

Those little guys can be pretty vocal in calling out a mate! It can be almost deafening when they're all shouting, "over here!" at the same time!

rainfield61 said...

George : I have, and I'll continue to have. I am addicted. Haha...

thecaffeinatedtraveller: Mark Twain? Then, I have been urged to explore more about him.

cherie: Haha!! These two frogs were those I have first seen over here, at Cerok Tokun. Hope more to come. Quack, quack...

betchai: They look just like leaves, and these leaves look like them too.

Icy BC: No, then you are wrong. You must see the couple in the corner as well.

Pacey: I am not the suitable mate who the male is looking for. Haha...

Ana: It is really a beautiful place. And I like your "breathing light, seeing colour and responding". I hope I have the chance to response to millions of frogs. How shall I look like then?

Tabib: It may help if you enlarge the picture, the two couples are waiting for you.

rainfield61 said...

The Retired One: Human can do the same, actually. They can do much better, only we fail to notice.

Ratty: You must have the luck that I have. Your post on frogs will be read soon..

pixelshots: Kerala is very beautiful. I like the mountain.

Mike: It is hard to imagine a road was closed in order to protect these reptiles. Must be a great experience!!!!

Kirigalpoththa: I must agree with you, otherwise how the females can carry those guy...

Harumi: The 1st shows only tadpoles. The 2nd displays two mating couples. You are absolutely right.
Quaaaaaaaak......

Cher: Not bad you still able to spot them. Otherwise they sure will miss you.

Heather Dugan: Suddenly I am confused again. Luckily it is just for a second. The " over here" calling isn't for me.

Joanne Olivieri said...

I so love your hikes. The frogs are camouflaged maybe to protect them. Great photos as always.

Bengbeng said...

I would love to go such a hike as yours. To get that shot is a bonus.. the one of the frogs

Eng said...

your post always fascinates me, rainfield. isn't it intriguing that a male frog- which in your picture is the darker/ black-ish color -is smaller than its female counterparts. and if my eyesight is not failing me, the female is brown in color...fascinating!!

Amila Salgado said...

Those frogs are remarkably leaf-like.

Females frogs are generally larger than males as they carry many eggs, which are larger and require more body mass than sperm.