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 p.4 #10 · p.4 #10 · Official Nikon DSLR images, videos and discussion thread | |
My fascination with the American Bullfrog goes back to my teen years on the deadwaters of a Maine river. It's the eye, the vibrant yellow and the fact that it just sits in the water and stares motionlessly.
For many years, the Bullfrog has been one of my favorite subjects to photograph in nature... approaching Common Loons.
When I locate one, I spend a *lot* of time slowly positioning my canoe into the perfect spot at MFD.
Funny thing, after a long time, they sometimes become entranced by the close presence of the canoe and they turn to get a better view.
Yesterday, the bottom Bullfrog in this 3 shot series was entirely back-to when I encountered it. I did not expect to get a frontal of it. But, eventually it turned completely around, to face the canoe, staring at me as I kept re-setting the camera and raising it up and over the gunwale and back down to water-level for the next shot. Seems like a lot of work but not if you love it.
The other thing that is interesting is the question "what are they doing, as they sit in the water for hours not moving?" Initially (and for years) I thought it was sun-basking. I am sure that sun-basking it one reason.
But I am beginning to wonder if it is a feeding mechanism too, whereby they waste no energy. Damselflies (as they convert from nymph to adult) do find the Bullfrog’s stationary body convenient to climb up onto, as they shed their ectoskeleton. That is what is happening in image #’s 2 and 3. Does the frog eventually gobble up the Damselfly? I do not yet know the answer.
I feel that this is a virtually perfect shot, captured toward the end of a 45+ minute shoot. When I finally reach the final position for the shots, the bottom of the lens hood is at water-level. I have to be careful not to go too low.
image #2 - Damsel fly on the Bullfrog's head has just emerged from the pond and is now transforming into an adult.
image #3 - I had a difficult time getting the white balance right on this image. This is the best I could do.
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