Deep in the nearly-empty rain barrel, a Gray Treefrog Hyla versicolor clings
with its suction-cup feet. Tree frogs
can climb most surfaces with ease -- even this slick dark wall -- because each pad
on each foot allows strong close mucous-enhanced contact.
Outside the rain barrel, a Northern Walkingstick Diapheromera femorata clings to the outer edge on a surface of the same material.Walkingsticks are leaf skeletonisers, eating the tissues between the leaf veins, pausing for a while and then walking on to new leaves.
Posing on a green leaf, the Walkingstick shows off its twig disguise and demonstrates how its front legs are attached just behind its eyes. Usually, these two front appendages are held straight out along the antennae.
