Photo by Susan C. Morse ©
“We were exploring a remote wetland within the Brushwood Community Forest in West Fairlee, Vermont,” says Susan C. Morse, who captured this shot. “I was bringing up the rear and happened to notice this magnificent gray tree frog on a red maple tree. It was so superbly camouflaged that it blended in completely with its environment. We were all spellbound.” Morse says that the species, Hyla versicolor, is noted for its unique ability to change color from gray to green, or from nearly black to nearly white, according to predominant background colors. Its mottled, textured pattern further conceals the frog among lichens and bark features.