Near Bel Pre Creek, where I walk on the Matthew Henson Trail, the county has built a small bioretention pond to slow drainage to the creek. It’s a great place for frogs. Last summer, I counted eleven green frogs singing there; it seemed a startling number for a pond not much bigger than my kitchen. Their one-note “banjo” calls sounded like a bluegrass band tuning up.

 This spring, pickerel frogs have appeared in the little pond. I heard their low, guttural calls, something between a groan and a snore. They stopped when I got close. I stood still and after a quiet minute or two, tried to imitate their sound. Right away, a frog responded, then another, then a third. Wow! After a short silence, I groaned again, and again the pickerel frogs took turns answering. What a treat. Just call me the Frog Whisperer!