Certainly one of our more attractive frogs, this female is MUCH larger than the males, and, well, RED! Although these frogs are heard often in our suburban woodland/wetlands ( they sound a LOT like a duck) they are less often seen. The exception, as with most frogs, is during the annual spring love-in, when they throw caution to the wind, and par-taay big time in select vernal pools. In the case of this particular lass, in a small, unlikely ditch in Allaire State Park. I arrived a bit too late at this location, since there were already egg masses, and no couples in amplexus (piggy back). I would be remiss as a "wildlife journalist" if I neglected to mention that shortly after I took this picture, I returned to the site to see if I'd get lucky with some egg-laying action. Sadly, the entire site had been completely trashed by some young kids with nets, while their moms watched in amusement. Unfortunately, it is human nature to assume that wild things are an unlimited, renewable resource. Even in this species, which is not technically threatened/endangered, their suitable breeding habitat is dwindling. We have created the lion's share of the problems faced by these & other species. It is fair, I think, to say that the responsibility to "fix" these problems also lies w/ Home Sapiens.
In the immortal words of Crosby, Stills & Nash..
"Teach your children well"
and for the young folks that "get it"...
"Teach your parents well"

Perhaps there's still time...