While adding the image for this post, I searched on “northern” within the image title, and only two came up that were not northern water snakes – this one, and the polar vortex on Saturn (not my shot.) Now, if I search in the tags, I get 14 hits on “northern” – the tags reflect the species name, while the image titles may not, and they’re there only for me to find the images that I want easier. But since this was the only time I’ve seen and photographed a northern green frog (Lithobates clamitans melanota,) the title indicated such.
I’ve seen the green frog parent species countless times, and had a few living for years in the tiny backyard pond. We probably have them here too, but I have yet to confirm this, though I have confirmed the presence of pickerel frogs, or at least a pickerel frog. But this one was found in Ohio, and the markings got my attention because they’re faintly different from the parent species, while later examination of the image showed the ‘vein’ that runs from behind the eye all the way down its back, a trait of the green frog. A quick internet search provided the answer, showing this to be a northern subspecies. We’ll check the difference with the main species, Lithobates clamitans.
As you can see, they tend to be a bit more bronze in color and lack the lateral meandering stripe. But it shouldn’t be here since I’ve featured them plenty of times, so ignore this.
Will I get more images of the northern variant? I go into the region that they inhabit from time to time, every couple of years or so, but I’m also not that motivated to chase them as a subject, so if it happens it’ll likely be while I’m in pursuit of something else. Unless, as I’ve said before, someone wants to fund a search for more photos…