Clingy Cicada

On a cool, damp morning, as my eyes scanned the area for critters, my heart leaped when I spied this big bug.

It was one of the elusive Cicadas that I had heard in the trees daily, but never actually saw.

I had finally found one near the ground, and it was alive...
IT'S ALIVE! 

(sorry, Frankenstein flashback)

I crept over to it with my heart pounding in my ears, anticipating the disappointment of the Cicada's impending hasty retreat.

To my surprise, it climbed up onto my finger, with little hesitation.

Wow, that Cicada had some kind of grip!

It latched on, like it had no intention of ever leaving my warm hand.

I quickly photographed it, still expecting it to fly away at any second.

It moved around a bit and posed for me, but never chose to leave.

After getting my photographs, I was unable to return the Cicada to its original resting spot.

It refused to relinquish my digit, until I coaxed it onto a Cypress stump with the thumb and forefinger of my other hand.

Then it finally released its fierce grip on my finger, so that I could put it down.

It was wonderful!

I was then able to get even more great photographs of the Cicada perched on the stump, before I left the area.

I thanked God and the Cicada for the prodigious photographic privilege, then I left it alone with its thoughts.

It remained on the stump for a few more hours, until the sunlight became too intense for comfort.

Then the Clingy Cicada flew off into the shady safety of the tall trees.

Cicada


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Little Leopard Frog

Here is a photograph of a small Southern Leopard Frog sitting in my hand.

This was no easy feat, by the way. These Frogs are extremely skittish.

I couldn't believe that it was actually letting me hold it, without jumping.
It tilted its head up and to the right to get a better look, directly at me.

Cute critter. 
I bet that it is relieved that I don't eat little Frog Legs.

Leopard Frog

You can View my Nature Photography here:

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Fantastic Frog

When I walked outside, around midnight, I noticed the outline of something that looked similar to a Leopard Frog in the shadows.

I retrieved a flashlight and returned to find the creature gone.

 While searching the area, I spied a cat walking under the deck.

As I got closer, I realized that the cat had a frog in its mouth.

I exclaimed so loudly that the cat dropped the frog and ran.

I quickly crawled over and picked up the limp frog's body.

I was furious because the cat had attacked the frog.

That was my favorite type of frog to photograph.

As I solemnly returned to the house, I felt a slight movement.

I rushed the frog into the bright light, for a closer inspection.

It appeared to have some minor wounds on its right side.

I prayed that I had gotten there in time to save its life.

I carried the frog inside to rinse the dirt and grass off.

It started kicking with both back legs, as I washed it.

That startled me and made my night, all at once.

That frog was a fighter; it was going to survive.

I prepared a container to keep it in overnight.

It didn't protest as I closed the vented lid.

It tolerantly rested in a far corner.

The next afternoon, I took the frog outside for some photos.

As soon as I removed the container lid, the frog leaped out.

I chased it back and forth in the yard, until it gave up.

I returned the frog to the house for another bath.

It escaped from my hands and dove into the sink.

I finally had to have a serious talk with the frog.

I said that I deserved some good pictures,

since I had saved it from the crazy cat.

That talk must have done the trick.

The frog settled right down and 

let me get my photographs.

I released it, afterward.

What a Fantastic Frog.

Southern Leopard Frog

You can View my Nature Photography here:

http://al-powell.pixels.com/

Snazzy Sliders

Clouds obscured the sun as I perused the pond perimeter. 

Near the waters edge, I startled a Frog, that returned the favor.

He shrieked an alarm and noisily belly flopped into the water.

SQUEEK...SPALOOSH!

I located my wits, steadied myself and continued my journey. 

I saw something ahead like small green leaves on the wet sand.

I approached for a closer look, my bare feet sinking in the mud.

I suddenly realized that they were green and yellow Turtles.

As I gently picked the tiny reptiles up, I had a vivid childhood flashback.

I had a similar small green and yellow Turtle, as a little kid.

I recalled a clear container with water and a plastic Palm Tree.

I wondered what became of that Turtle; what had I named it?

No idea.

They sprang to life as I rinsed the dried mud from their shells.

Scratching my fingers with their claws, they tried to get away.

They had summoned surprising strength from those little legs.

I placed them in the palm of my hand and carried them to the soft, warm grass, to dry.

They let me take photos, while they basked in the sunlight.

The sun highlighted the intricate designs on their stunning shells.

GOD's handiwork is clearly evident in the smallest of details.
Impressive.

I enjoy the exploration of Nature now, much as I did as a child.

Each newly found creature affects me like a shiny new toy.
Finding two at a time; now that is a big ole bonus.

Twin Turtles!

Yellow Bellied Slider Turtles

You can View my Nature Photography here:

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Lucky Lizard

As I walked around looking for animals to photograph, I noticed a dark brown Lizard, also known as a Carolina Anole, perched on the inside of a window frame of a storage building.

He was longingly staring out through the glass, as if he was begging for help in escaping.

He would probably not live long, once the sun baked the black metal roof of the small structure in which he was trapped.

The temperature would soar and he would become lizard jerky.

When he tilted his little head up and looked me directly in the eye, I knew what I had to do.

I retrieved the storage building key, unlocked the door and readied myself for a chase, a fight, or both.

My childhood memories reminded me that, when captured, Lizards tend to squirm, bite and run.

I needed to be sure that he would make it to the outside, and that he wouldn't just hide elsewhere inside the same building.

I quickly devised a plan to distract his attention with one hand while grabbing him with the other one.

The tactic worked, just like it had when I was a kid.

I rushed outside, with him furiously flailing between my fingers.

Holding an angry Anole was more exciting than I remembered.

Once outside, I attempted to calm him down and get some quick photographs.

He wasn't very appreciative of me saving his life.

Apparently, his intention was to bite my forefinger as hard as possible, jump down into the grass, immediately turn green, run away, and leave me standing there with my mouth wide open.

Well, his plan didn't work out exactly as he had imagined.

He squirmed around in my hand until I nearly dropped him, then, with my grip loosened, he moved around and bit the side of my forefinger three times, hard and fast...Bam Bam Bam!

To his surprise, I did exclaim, but I didn't actually release him.

He looked up at me like he was amazed that I didn't scream and throw him, or at least drop him, when he went all rabid dog on me.

I told him that I just wanted to get some photographs of him.

That was the least that he could do, after that exciting rescue.

He didn't seem to like it very much, but he humored me.

He was all atrocious and angry, but he posed.

Lucky Lizard staring out of a storage building window

Angry Anole reluctantly posing for the camera

You can View my Nature Photography here:

http://al-powell.pixels.com/