August At A Vernal Pool

 In 2021, Lobscot Pond at Nobscot Scout Reservation remained filled for all seasons of the year. 2021 was an exception to the rule, being a very rainy summer, as vernal pools are supposed to completely dry up during the fall, making them a great, fish free spot for amphibians to spawn. This year though, the pond has been reduced to a puddle as of August 1st. This means all of the newt larva, tadpoles, and dragonfly larva will need to metamorphose fast. Here are all the photos i took of the action that has stirred up at the vernal pool:

                 

       

                                                                    Adult Eastern Newts.

                                                                Bog Cranberries - No Fruit Yet!

                                                                    Northern Green Frog

 

                                                      Northern Spread-wing Damselflies Mating

                                 Trail camera footage of a raccoon crossing a plank over a dried up

           stream near another vernal pool at Nobscot. It was probably feeding off of the young frogs, dead                                                               tadpoles, and dead insects in the dried pond.

                                                             Newly Emerged Grey Tree Frog

                                                         

Buttonbush? 

American Chestnut