Pacific tree frogs are showing up all over our yard these days, in varying sizes and often where you least expect them. A few days ago one hopped out of a lettuce I was cutting, landing first on the toaster, then the butter dish while I tried my best to catch it. (Alas, no photos of that!)
In a less extreme example, the other morning we were sipping our coffee on the deck when a frog suddenly appeared, heading straight towards my flip-flop-shod toes.
To cross our large deck must be a big journey for such a small animal, especially when there are potentially dangerous “giants” to contend with. As the frog neared my foot, it seemed to grow less decisive. I grabbed my camera, and I imagined its internal monologue as it went about its explorations.
Click on the first photo to enlarge & begin the slideshow – the images really do look much better that way, and the captions will be easier to read. (Note, if you’re reading this post in your email rather than on the web, the slideshow won’t work.)
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- Looks like a big journey across this desert! Where to start?
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- I’ll have to be careful not to fall into these gullies.
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- Guess I’ll go this way!
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- Or maybe the other way is better…
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- Hmm, I wonder what’s down there?
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- Looks interesting…
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- I can probably climb down there pretty easily.
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- Guess I’ll give it a try!
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- Yikes, it’s a tighter opening than I’d thought!
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- I can do it…I can do it…
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- Almost through…
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- Hooray! A quick wave to the giant who’s pointing that black thing at me, then I’m outta’ here!
Eye on Environment 
[…] Amphibian Explorations – OK, I love this piece! West coast photographer Laurie MacBride captures a terrific series of shots featuring a tiny frog thinking about making it’s way across her deck. She adds a little byline to the photography by creating a wonderful storyline out of it that is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. […]
This is such a wonderful series of images!
Thanks so much, Lisa!
[…] Amphibian Explorations – OK, I love this piece! West coast photographer Laurie MacBride captures a terrific series of shots featuring a tiny frog thinking about making it’s way across her deck. She adds a little byline to the photography by creating a wonderful storyline out of it that is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. […]
[…] Amphibian Explorations – OK, I love this piece! West coast photographer Laurie MacBride captures a terrific series of shots featuring a tiny frog thinking about making it’s way across her deck. She adds a little byline to the photography by creating a wonderful storyline out of it that is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. […]
Oh my gosh, this is just so terrific Laurie, well done on all counts!!!
Thanks Toad! I had fun with it, for sure.
This is wonderful, Laurie. We’re talking about focusing attention in my workshop this week and this is a great example!
Thanks Kim! As you can tell from the images, I decided the best way to photograph the frog was to get right down on the deck with him/her. I happened to have my longest lens on at the time so I didn’t need to get oppressively close. He was so entertaining, how could I possibly focus on anything else?
Smiles 🙂
Thanks Martin!
Really fun.
It made me realize we haven’t had frogs in the grass at the cabin this year.
Thanks Deb! I hope that your frogs return soon.
Excellent series! Didn’t know they could compress like that.
Thanks, Kenneth. I was surprised that the frog managed to fit through that crack. It was quite the entertaining show he/she put on!