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This is my first photograph of a spring peeper, similar in size to a western chorus frog. This frog is common in Michigan, but is not common in the pond that I take my pictures in. They are identified by their peep call, and their "X" shape on their backs.
Spring peeper. Notice how the frog is mostly out of the water, and is pointed upwards. Both western chorus frogs and spring peeper assume this position when they call. I think this is because of the way their vocal sacs work. Spring peepers and western chorus frogs both have one vocal sac, which is right under their mouths. I am guessing that this position is needed so that the sac can inflate. Wood frogs, by comparison, have two vocal sacs, one on each side of their body, and they call while floating in the water.
The spring peeper. Note that the spring peepers is showing the tell-tale "X" shape on its back.
This was as close as this spring peeper let me get. The Western Chorus frogs, and the Spring Peeper frogs are both extremely small and extremely shy. Even the field guide I have says that these frogs will jump in the water at the first disturbance. So I am pretty happy I was able to get these shots.
