 |
| About the size of a dime, a Northern Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer crucifer) provides some audio signs of spring. |
Literally from the second the truck door cracked open at the marsh yesterday, I could feel (or more accurately hear) a change in the air. January, February, and much of March have been uncharacteristically, remarkably, and consistently warm -- very warm. So when I opened my door to a symphony of Northern Spring Peepers (Pseudacris crucifer crucifer) and Western Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris triseriata triseriata), I had to smile and take it all in. With April almost upon us, it finally somehow feels (or sounds) right.
Truth is, these little buggers have been making their audio presence known periodically since some of those crazy warm early February days, but now the band is most certainly back together. I should have at least collected some audio on my phone, but for now I'll leave it to ohioamphians.com to share what it sounded like just outside the bunkhouse: music to the ears of anyone with spring fever!
This greeting was apropos because yesterday marked an important day for Standing Rush. We welcomed Julie Anderson, a young biologist interested in a career related to ecology to the marsh for the first day of a 5-6 month part-time internship. One of Julie's primary responsibilities will be overseeing the compilation of a master species list -- a detailed inventory of every living thing we can identify within the confines of Standing Rush property.
We plan to collaborate with specialized "experts in the field" to concentrate on plants, aquatic insects, mollusks, amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds, and mammals. But independent of what it is, if it is alive and we find it, we will do our best to positively identify and add it to the list. Julie will learn a lot, and at the same time we will gain valuable insight into specifically what living things are utilizing the marsh.
Education is one of the foundational goals of this entire project. While we've been learning since day one, Julie marks the start of an important new chapter.
P.S. In introducing Julie, it becomes clear that Roy Kroll, our full-time onsite marsh manager needs an introduction. His bio will be added very soon.
Also, here's the Chorus Frog in action. These little guys really do pack a punch.