Cute Camo

I covertly proned out in the muck, immediately following a severe late-night thunderstorm, to get a good close-up photograph of this striking Southern Leopard Frog.

Lying chest-down in the mud, mosquitoes fighting for my blood, I began to second-guess my decision to cozy up to this Frog, however handsome.

Fortunately for me, this colorfully camouflaged critter patiently permitted photography, without so much as a flinch.

I got my shots, thanked the Frog for the considerate cooperation, stumbled to my feet, inside two rain-soaked shoes, and overtly trudged back in the direction of the shower... 
Squish Squash, Squish Squash, Squish Squash.

Southern Leopard Frog

The Southern Leopard Frog is a long leaper.
When threatened, they can cover great distances in a very short time.
After fleeing the area, they will normally stop near cover and brilliantly blend in with their environment.
They remain so still that you will nearly step on them and not notice.
It is necessary for them to quickly master hiding techniques, because they have many predators, and frog legs are at the top of the menu.

You can View my Nature Photography here:

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

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/