There is an incredible phenomenon that happens every spring in Massachusetts. On the first rainy nights when the temperature is around 45°F or higher, certain amphibians such as wood frogs and spotted salamanders emerge en masse from their wintering sites, heading to temporary water bodies called vernal pools to breed. It’s an event often dubbed Big Night. These five images from our Photo Contest provide an up close look.
The animals are often secretive, so catching a glimpse of them can be exciting. Join one of our Big Night programs to search for spotted salamanders, wood frogs, and other denizens of vernal pools.
Spotted salamanders, 2011 Photo Contest Entry © Gail S. Platz
Wood frog, 2014 Photo Contest Entry © Debbie Dineen
Spotted salamander, 2010 Photo Contest Entry © Suzanne Niles
Wood frog camouflage, 2014 Photo Contest Entry © Jane Parker
A mass of wood frog eggs, 2014 Photo Contest Entry © Rachel Roberts
Have a great shot of your own? The 2015 Picture This Photo Contest launches April 1!
I used to live right in the path of the Big Night migration in my neighborhood, so it was extra easy to just walk out my front door and play crossing guard on the road in front of my house — and, of course, take pictures! (That’s one of my guys in the close-up mug shot above.) You can see lots more pictures in the salamander section of my pond website, frognuts.com.
Anyone know when snakes come out?