Lisa Willey of Maple Grove got a little more than she bargained for when snapping some photos of her daughter playing in their backyard. She happened to capture some amphibious wildlife as well. “While looking through my photos, I saw that the tree frog had his hand up and appeared to be waving at me,” Willey says. “Have you ever seen a frog wave?”
Willey’s picture won first place in the Nature & Wildlife category of our 2014 photo contest. It offers a perfect snapshot of the fascinating wildlife in the area. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Maple Grove is an ideal location to find various types of frogs and toads thanks to its many lakes, streams and ponds. Though these amphibians are not exclusive to wet areas, chances are they will settle in a spot that best resembles wetlands, swamps and dank forests.
With lakes such as Rice, Fish and Eagle, along with countless ponds and streams, it’s no wonder that our animal friends make their home in Maple Grove. Next time you’re out taking some photos in the backyard, check to see if an amphibious neighbor is giving you a friendly greeting.
Be sure to vote online this month for the 2015 readers’ choice photo!
