Spring Peepers Pillows

"Spring Peepers" are tiny frogs that live primarily in forests and regenerating woodlands near ephemeral or semipermanent wetlands. Spring peepers are tan or brown with a dark cross that roughly forms an X on their dorsa (thus the Latin name crucifer, meaning cross-bearer), though sometimes the marking may be indistinct. They have a body length between less than 1 inch. On Martha's Vineyard, peepers are commonly called "pinkletinks"; in New Brunswick, Canada, they are sometimes called "tinkletoes", although not commonly known by that name, and usually referred to as simply "peepers". On Nova Scotia's South Shore, they are sometimes referred to as "pink-winks." This original watercolor measures 6" x 12" on watercolor paper. I used a...

These little guys might not look familiar, but they'll sure sound it! A common sound at dusk in spring, these little frogs make an incredibly loud "PEEP"ing sound that can be heard a long distance away.

A cute little Spring Peeper frog. Spring Peepers are my favorite sign of Spring. In Maine, the first night when you can hear them filling the night with their loud peeps is always exciting. Once when I was a kid, I caught two Spring Peepers and tried to keep them in my room as pets, but they peeped so loudly that the whole house was kept awake and made me let them go back outside.