Last day of soccer

No, it's not a typo.  Yesterday was the last day of soccer, and what did the little guy do after his game?  Hunt frogs in the stream behind the field.  Somehow I don't think he'll remember the game, but he'll remember this frog!

F Number	7.1
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/320
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	200
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	Off, Did not fire

Wood frog

This is a wood frog found at a friend's house.  I never knew it, but wood frogs don't breed in permanent ponds - they breed in ephemeral pools; pools that are present in the wet season, then dry up.  No permanent water, no fish to eat the baby tadpoles!  They are also filled with anti-freeze so they can survive the winter in the leaf litter in the forest.  As soon as they defrost, the temporary pools are filling up and off they go to do their thing.

This particular specimen was an overnight guest, and went back where he was found.  They make the coolest sounds - almost birdlike! 

F Number	5.6
Lens ID	LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm F3.5-5.6
Focal Length	45.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 90.0 mm)
Exposure Time	1/30
Exposure Program	Program AE
ISO	400
Exposure Compensation	0
Flash	On, Red-eye reduction

The odd shadow is me deflecting some of the on-camera flash away from the frog. I think it turned out OK despite that.

Frog

There's a bullfrog poking his head out of the water here. It might seem like Where's Waldo? but I guess that's the point of natural camouflage! He's still young. I hope he eats lots and lots of those bugs that have recently hatched!

James at Newtown Area Photo runs a Weekend Reflections collection. It's amazing what people can do with a common theme! Click the link to go see... Thanks, James!