Tree Frog in the Washer, Topanga, CA, Photo by Kathy Vilim
A funny thing happened yesterday when I went to hang up my laundry. I opened the lid of the washing machine, started pulling out clothes & laying them over my arm. I turned to walk to the clothesline and saw something out of the corner of my eye. Down in the washer on my clothes was a large leaf, I thought. I reached in to scoop it out and surprise! A frog! A tiny tree frog with eyes looking at me! I couldn’t believe it. How did he get in there?
I ran and got my camera. He sat tight as I clicked his picture. Then I got him out and rested him on a towel. The little frog posed for me. He was almost a yellow color and very small. I’d never seen a yellow frog before. I was able to get a couple pictures before he decided that he’d had enough. Up he went. He jumped up high and stretched out his body thin & long.. then he disappeared. I couldn’t find him. Wherever he had landed, he was well camouflaged.
Pacific Chorus Frog (Pseudacris regilla) I think! Photo by Kathy Vilim
Great, another critter to avoid stepping on near the washer. And it was a reminder to keep an eye out for the baby rattlers who are attracted to the water, as well.
So many critters are attracted to the leaky hose there. The frog probably just wanted to get wet. The other day, it was a group of tiny yellow finches taking showers, flitting back & forth from the oak tree branches to the spray of the leaky hose.
The question was: how did he get in there? Could he have survived a wash cycle.. cool & delicate? No way! Maybe he jumped in when I opened the washer lid, but he must have been fast. It wasn’t open that long.
Well, I am glad he is safe and I got to see him. I hope I see more of the yellow tree frogs. I am guessing he is a Pacific Chorus (Tree) Frog based on the eyestripe that goes past the ear and the toepads. Both of these are distinguishing markings of the Pacific Chorus Frog, not found in other frogs in the region ( from British Columbia down to Baja) .
It is rare to see frogs in my garden, as my garden is on a hill and the Topanga frogs prefer to hang out down at the creek. I hope I will have a positive ID soon.
If you know what this little guy is called, please let me know!
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About Kathy Vilim
How fun! My friend’s hubby came out of my guest bathroom one day and asked “do you know you have a frog in your toilet”? I went in, got the critter out. Unfortunately it was one of the invasive ones, so into the freezer he went.
As far as your yellow frog, did you forget to use bleach?
Great encounter and story Kathy! Sometimes the most unusual sitings prove to be the best!
Loret recently posted..Rockin and Rolling Caterpillar Style
Thanks, Loret. It was certainly a surprise to find this cutie and yes, I guess my secret is out re “no bleach” LOL.
Kathy @nativegardener recently posted..Where To Go To See Native Plants in California?
What an incredible surprise! And he’s beautiful too. What a lucky laundry day for you
Carole Sevilla Brown recently posted..The 5 Pillars of Ecosystem Gardening
Thanks, Carole, I just love doing laundry outdoors!
Kathy Vilim recently posted..Where To Go To See Native Plants in California?
Your laundry room can be a designated wildlife area, lol. Frogs, snakes, ….
Mary Pellerito recently posted..Waiting
I think the water feature definitely makes my outdoor laundry area a wildlife area! Every critter seems to have an interest in water, esp in Summer.
Kathy @nativegardener recently posted..Where To Go To See Native Plants in California?
I found a large tree frog at my school one day. It must have been someone’s pet that escaped. I got a terrarium for him in my classroom that day. Later when I checked on him, he was sitting on the bottom and had turned brown. I thought he needed a heat lamp. When I returned that evening with the lamp I couldn’t find him. When I refocused I realized he was on top of plants just an inch from my nose. He also was green again. This all happened in a matter of seconds. As quickly as I found him he jumped out of the terrarium and stuck to the paper on the bulletin board.
Sorry for the long story I just had to share. Maybe your frog was hanging onto the lid of the washer and jumped down when you opened it. It could easily hold onto the metal.
That’s a great story, Carol. I guess then that tree frogs can change color to suit their surroundings? Thank you for the idea on how my yellow frog got into the washer. If they can hold onto metal, then that must have been it.
Kathy @nativegardener recently posted..Where To Go To See Native Plants in California?
What a beautiful gift! Did you research the symbolism of frogs? I think its about transformation.
What an adorable visitor who decided to take refuge in your washer…I love these precious encounters
Donna@Gardens Eye View recently posted..Urban and Suburban Meadows