Starting around 1:00 yesterday afternoon from the Kittredge Road entrance to Northeast Penjajowoc Preserve, I hiked with a friend along the outer trail and spotted a leopard frog hopping across our path near the marsh. It was just under four inches from front to end and stayed around a while to let us and another hiking party observe its dark spots on a vibrant green background. Midway through the hike, along the old railroad bed, another frog jumped into the water before I had a chance to get its photo. It was darker green and much larger  - possibly a bullfrog which have been found up to eight inches. It was fun to see all of the frog activity so late in the season.
     Using Mushrooms of Northeast North America, by George Barron, a novice identification was made for three of the mushrooms photographed. (Please do not use this resource to ID edible mushrooms!)

     For those who are following this blog and read the previous entry about beaver activity, someone did cut the ash tree that was felled by a beaver for safety reasons. The tree remains beside the trail and has not been hauled away.

Kevin Miller sent a message to the office yesterday about an interesting new feature in Northeast Penjajawoc Preserve "near the bridge".  If you're on a bike, be careful! 

[Click on individual images to see larger versions with captions.]