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Thursday, May 22, 2008

The Pacific Tree Frog



Twice before I have posted about frogs. Here.....and.....here. The Living and Loving household just can't get enough of these adorable little creatures. It is fairly rare that we run across one in our yard, but when we do...we certainly take full advantage of the opportunity.



After posting some preliminary photos of this little hopper recently, I was encouraged to share what type of frog it was. Guess what? I didn't actually know. Bad mama! So I set about researching. It didn't take me long to identify our frog as a Pacific Tree Frog. This particular website shows the variation of color that can be seen, but I have never seen one that isn't green. I suppose it is due to the fact that I live in a really green area. The dark band that runs across the eyes and down their sides is the common factor in all of these. They are very vocal, and are also known as a Pacific Choral Frog. I love to sit outside on a spring evening and listen to their beautiful music. It is definitely one of my favorite sounds on earth.



This particular evening Sugar Bear was as enamored as ever. This poor little frog was a real trooper. She played with him for the better part of an hour. She is as gentle as a clumsy three year old can be, but I spent a great deal of time checking on the health of mister frog. They have this really interesting instinct to puff up and remain perfectly still. I am assuming it is a defense, but it freaks me out. When this happens I just ask sugar to put him down for awhile, and usually within 15 seconds it deflates and is back to normal. I regret not having a picture of this to share, but usually, I'm busy praying he isn't really dead. It is one thing to let your child experience the joy of interacting with a frog, and entirely another to let her torture it to death. Right?

oh wait....here is one of Sugar giving him a little breather.



Now back to the torture fun. I think he would completely agree with the great Kermit the Frog when he said, "It's not easy being green."









Apparently playing with a frog is full of it's ups.....





and downs.....



Several times during this interaction, I set my camera down, only to pick it up minutes later to capture another few moments. I have found that always being prepared is key. Just as I found myself ready to pack it in, Sugar bear surprised me with this......two of my favorite photos of the day. If I hadn't had my camera still at my side I would have missed it.





Lastly, I'd like to leave you with a quote from actress Cameron Diaz,“I'd kiss a frog even if there was no promise of a Prince Charming popping out of it. I love frogs.” and apparently....so does Sugar Bear.



*** I am a little annoyed at Flickr as it seems to sharpen my photos during upload, which is given them a strangely over sharpened look. I switched from Photobucket to Flickr a month ago, and I am not all that pleased. I'll be reassessing the situation.***

22 Live It or Love It:

Meghan said...

I love this series! Especially the last few with Sugar... so sweet!

John-Michael said...

Oh Corey! You are so right, I have been "away" for too long (life's "stuff" taking its toll) and hadn't seen your new header 'til now. How absolutely PERFECT!! The ideal wedding of image and thought.I can't stop smiling.

And this post is magical. Beginning my day in the enchantment of your Spirit and Sugar Bear's as well is a blessing to my Soul. You capture (but simultaneously set free) the bliss of Life. How I do adore You and your amazing expressions of gentle passion in living. (And Sugar Bear's eye lashes are precious as well. [smile] Such a perfect tiny Lady.)

I unabashedly Love You totally!

holly said...

i totally love how you've captured the expressions of sugar bear. the amazement and wonder is clearly visible.

now, if you could have gotten some more effervescent reactions out of the tree frog's face, that would have been good. next time have him "work it".

still, a wonderful post.

but froggy needs a new look. i *get* the "i'm watching you" one. show me joy, froggy! show me wreckless abandon!

or not.

AnnD said...

The pics of Sugar Bear with the frog are just priceless!!! Her experession is truly that of an innocent and amazed child!!! I'm teary-eyed!

Irene said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE those pictures! Especially the ones of Sugar Bear! I am not sure if my little one would hold a frog that closely!

The first pics of the frog are incredible too. Great bokeh! What type of lens did you use? I am really itching to get a 50mm f/1.8 (and I assume you using something similar).

Bellevelma said...

so very cool! Snags is gonna love these pictures!

Lisa said...

I love the frog pictures! I did one for my WW yesterday =)

Autumn said...

These pictures are delicious!
The shot of sugar with her hands on her chin and the suprised look on her face is sooo cute! Love the macro shots of the frog.
Great job!

Momo Fali said...

Am I just the biggest wimp? I would totally run the other way if I had those in my yard!

Anonymous said...

I love the ups and downs series. Captured perfectly!

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

What a darling little frog! I wonder if we get them around here...hmm...

Great shots!

Jo Beaufoix said...

Ahhh they are gorgeous, and what a tiny frog in Sugar's diddy little hands. And I love Holl's comment, @Let me see reckless abandon." Snort.

Anonymous said...

Those last several shots of Sugar are just Adorable with a capital "A"! I'm still smiling! :))))))

Cynthia said...

Oh my...I didn't realize they were so small! Great shots:)

Dapoppins said...

Here via Holly's blog..

my daughter loves creatues...we once had a tree frog in our yard that would not get the idea that some one else's yard was much safer...

Maude Lynn said...

My daughter would just lose her mind over that frog!

Awesome pictures!

Jules said...

Oh my gosh, you really got some fantastic shots!!!! Those last few are just priceless!!!!

Anonymous said...

I love the frog photos. Sugar looks like she's having a blast...even if the frog isn't. Thanks for sharing them.

Donetta said...

Oh sweet baby! you are just having so much fun with her. I like that image of the reflection in the eye. I trust your enjoying life.

david mcmahon said...

It was very froggy here today as well - wait, no, I mean it was foggy here!!!

Greetings from an Australian Saturday morning....

CMB said...

We love frogs too - but monkey are our favorite. These pictures are precious. Especially the last one. What a doll.

we are reilly said...

Oh, how fun! I especially LOVE Sugar's expression for the "downs" photo -- I guess that frog is not always that exciting, huh?

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