Our ice-free pond and vernal pools are full of life once again. Three species of amphibians: wood frog, spring peeper, and spotted salamander can be found in these pools and are quite hormone-driven this time of the year. They must act fast, water in vernal pools doesn't last long and their offspring must hatch before the water is gone. Photo: wood frogs in "amplexus"- the darker male will fertilize the eggs as they are released by the female and attached to cattails and other submerged vegetation.