Kip’s Comments - July 9, 2026

Climbing Surprise

For as long as I can remember I have seen turtles crawl up logs sticking out of rivers and ponds to sun themselves. Sometimes the turtles are a foot or two above the water.

Today I was surprised to notice a bright yellow spot three to four feet up a tree along a pond. When I paddled closer I recognized I was looking at a high-climbing bullfrog. The frog seemed so content looking down on me on the water in my canoe.

Until today I had never seen a frog climb high in a tree, but now I have.

Bullfrog in Tree - Image 1119965

Bullfrog in Tree - Image 1119991

Not far from the frog in the tree I noticed a dragonfly on the surface of the pond. After seeing what gnats do to dragonflies the other day, I lifted this one with a canoe paddle to dry out and live another day.

Newly Emerged Eastern Amberwing Dragonfly - Image 1120092

Finally, here is your wildflower photo for the day.

Purple Coneflower - Image 1120259