As we sat near the pond early this evening, we watched dozens of dragonflies racing around, undoubtedly keeping us from the usual swarms of bothersome bugs. Before long, a froggy suitor's serenade started whereby he hoped to entice a comely froggy maiden to join him for a pleasant evening side by side on a lily pad. I could make out the strains of that old lover's song "Fly me to the moon". I thought that if I could catch him performing his repertoire he might make a suitable subject for today's post. And so I did, and he did.
Well, it so happens that we're almost at full moon time (close enough when I looked up at the moon), and I haven't posted a moon shot. I decided that I should at least try. I made a few photos and as I was making them I heard the droning of an airplane. As luck would have it, the pilot's flight plan also followed my theme for tonight (you'll have to enlarge the photo to see how).
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70-200mm f11 1/50 sec ISO400)
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70-200mm f8 1/400 sec ISO400)
35 comments:
Oh my goodess ... these photos are amazing! That is one huge frog!
I love your 'day moon' photo ... it is awesome & the title of this post is so befitting. Isn't it amazing how the plane looks to be further away than the moon...a great optical illusion!
@Katherine - yes, we have several of this size; I actually watched a brief frog fight earlier - never saw that before but it was over before the 2nd round so I couldn't get my camera out in time. I suspect both were after the same 'maiden' :)
I took the moon shots just as dusk was starting. I found in the past when trying to shoot the moon at night that it always washed out since it was so brilliant. Early evening seems to be a much better time. And the optical illusion was totally planned. Not. ;-)
Don't you just love pond life? I do!
And Rick, I LOVE the frog shot!
And it's so funny that a plane was conveniently flying right by the moon.
Great set of shots. Even though they are of completely different subjects, they go together so perfectly!
['รด ] Avery
I really like that frog shot. Love the texture and the expression. Great! I looked up at the moon this evening and thought I should try to get a really good photo that shows the texture, but I was playing with the dog so I didn't. I don't feel too bad, I like playing with the dog.
Love the coloring on the frog. He looks huge. How big was he??
@Photog Ave - I find the pond fascinating - so much going on, and it attracts all kinds of wildlife (we even had a muskrat in it a couple of years ago - temporarily because I scared it off). Glad you liked my little segue.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Avery :)
@Scott - thank you Scott. One thing I didn't notice until I downloaded from the camera was how the water splashed from the frog's back - likely from the vibrations he was making as he 'croaked'.
You've probably already got some great moon shots - I'm sure Missy wouldn't care about another :)
@Karen - about the frog: he was HUGE. We took our grandson inside as a precaution! LOL!!
Actually I think he was around 6 inches (without his legs stretched out) and I think he was in a scrap with a bigger one a little earlier.
Die maan foto is prachtig Rick en is die kikker echt?
Groetjes van Riet
Hi Rick,
Now I found my way to your blog. Nice pics you got here :-)
Greetz,
Joseph
Neat shots, Rick !! I love the frog, but catching the plane and the moon is awesome !!
Really cool moon shot but that froggie is my favorite!! What a handsome dude!
@CarreraCaballo - hello Joseph. Thanks for following and your comments! Much appreciated.
@Riet - goede morgen (of avond) Riet. Dank u wel. Ja, die kikker is echt - hij zit lekker in onze vijver achter 't huis. Fijne dag toegewenst.
@bonifer - thank you! It was a stroke of luck to have that plane come by, although I had to zoom out to get them both in the frame :)
@Kerri - thanks Kerri; I'm not sure if the maiden he was serenading also thought he was that handsome - maybe she did after dark :-)
Excellent, Rick! Last night's waxing gibbous moon was amazing ... great shot and post.
Nice shots Rick, Lady Luck was sure with you with the moon shot.
"Let me see what spring is like oooonnnn Jupiter and Marssss.... In other words... RIBBIT!!!"
;o)
These are lovely as always, Rick. The frog is a really spectacular capture. We don't have frogs here, I sure wish we did though.
I love the airplane shot. Wonder if they're preparing for a moon landing?
@joey - yes, it was a lovely sight - should be getting better even over the next 2 days. Thanks joey!
@imac - yes - right place, right time; thanks mac!
@Krista - LOL - I think I can hear crooning coming from the Yukon ;-)
No frogs in the Yukon ?? With all the bugs (you must have) over there, you'd think there'd be frogs aplenty. Shall I ship you a pair ?
As for the plane, yes - flight plan called for 50 day return trip with a stopover in Montreal :-)
Thanks for stopping by Krista!
Love the frog. WOW! That plane really puts the moon in perspective, doesn't it? Great shot!
This is what I call, being in the right place at the right time. The moon is surreal and the plane did more justice to that particular shot. Well done friend!
It's amazing what you notice when you pick up a camera, isn't it? Nice shots.
@Jeanne Klaver - yes, makes us realize we're just mites in the grand scheme of things, although each one precious in His sight. Thanks Jeanne.
@M. Hassan - fortuitous, yes. Thank you M!
@S. Etole - thank you Susan. I think seeing is a conscious act, whereas looking can be done with the mind on autopilot.
Rick I don't like frogs and somehow you have me thinking that they are beautiful now! lol Wicked photo!
I did enlarge the moon photo and it is amazing. It's photos such as this that help me realize how little I am in the big picture of life. I am wowed once again by your photos, thanks!
Have a wonderful evening!
@darkin - ha ha - I turned him into Prince Charming! :)
Yes, that one puts things into perspective, for sure.
Thank you.
@darlin - oops; must get to bed now - can't spell names anymore :(
Hehe... yes please, send me a pair would you? ;o)
I think we have a few of them, maybe in the very southern parts of the Yukon. But they would be out only amphibians I'm sure. I'll have to look into that more today at work and let you know what I find out. :o)
@Krista - maybe if I catch that amorous couple and ship them you'll have 100 or so by the time they get there ;-)
Wow! That's a great picture of the moon!!! When are they star pictures coming?
@Julia - thanks Julia; I'm still practicing on the moon - the stars will need to wait a little longer :)
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