On a recent hike, the forest still looked like winter, but then I unexpectedly came upon a spring symphony. Click here to listen.

According to Charles Seabrook whose “Wild Georgia” column appears weekly in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “If you’re near a temporary, rain-filled pond or large puddle in North Georgia’s woods this time of year, you may hear what sounds like quacking ducks. Actually, it’s probably frogs — wood frogs, to be exact. The 3-inch-long, brownish frogs, each marked by a distinctive black mask extending backward from the eye, are some of Georgia’s most amazing creatures. They appear seemingly from out of nowhere for a few days in January and February and congregate in the ponds at night to engage in their frenzied mating known as “explosive breeding.” Then they quickly disappear back into the woods, not to be seen again until the next breeding season.” As I approached in an attempt to see the frogs, the water became still and quiet!

High temperatures have only reached the fifties, but I am spotting signs of spring on my neighborhood walks – Lenten roses, daffodils, cherry blossoms, and camellias. Have you seen any early hints that spring is on its way?