Frogging! Or better yet - ponding!

[Paul_Mc]

I have a small NWR near me, and it has areas of open tidal as well as pondish areas where there are tons of frogs.

There's also deer, foxes and such that are around so there's also could be a problem with ticks.

As i travel down this main gravel road alongside these areas there are a few certain spots where there are frogs (it's not spring yet of course and this is my first journey here to check it out).

but i'll be danged if those frogs dont start leapin away upon my approach and it's hardly that close. Maybe 10 feetish

I would LOVE to get some macro shots of these frogs, but i can't see how it would be possible without scaring them all away. Even if i walk sloooooooowly. or crawl.

Anyone have any tips for frogs? I have John Shaw's nature photography book and he's got some froggy closeups, and i can only imagine how he did it without scaring them off.

Thanks

p.s. i saw a red dragonfly, about 3 inches long that landed on a branch, i walked right up to it and it stayed. i rose my finger up to it, it stayed. i then brushed my finger underneath it (to see if i could dare onto my finger), it finally took off. He either was tired, or because it was a shaded area he didnt see me too well but i never got as close as that before in my life (if only i had my equipment)

[Abdee]

So u wan't something like this?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/Abdee/h5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/Abdee/h2.jpg

Or this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/Abdee/z2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/Abdee/z3.jpg

Welll here are few tips:

1. Learn about frogs habits. Some are pretty careless when mating...

2. Try to come gently and not to scare them...

3. Try to catch one and pet it in your hands... They tend to calm down so you can put them in every imaginable pose...

4. Try to take pics of them in their habitat...

5. Try not to hurt them.

Good luck!

[Paul_Mc]

Abdee,

Why yes those are exactly the types of shots I'd love to get. What lense did you use and where were those shots taken ?

I'll have to try your methods, didn't know they would respond to being picked up in hand.

[Abdee]

I use Canon A70. This country is poor but frogs here do some great modeling :wink:

[stopbath]

Frogs will hop away when spooked. So avoid allowing your shadow to fall across them. Tread slowly and soflty.

If you do spook them and they dash off into the water, settle yourself on the shore and wait. About five/ten minutes or so, they'll figure you've gone and the threat is gone too. Then they'll pop up and carry one.

Use a polarizer to cut the water reflections if you want.

No sudden movements, and be comfortable.

Early in the morning may help as the little guys and gals have not been warmed up by the sun, so they are more sluggish.

If you do catch one or two, moisten your hands with water if you can. Rub their belly too. Some frogs will just hate being held, others (of the same species) won't mind at all after a spell. If one gets away from you, big deal, find another (don't pester one frog, you don't want to stress it out.)

Patience and luck. That's all you really need.

Also, frogs are basically ambush preditors. They will wait and wait and wait for a bug to cruise by. So don't expect them to walk about other then to find another spot to wait at...