I went looking for frogs.

[DickyOZ]

We have had some good rains during the last week and as I am now mobile again I thought I would go looking for frogs on a swampy part of the island. From a mile off I could hear a cacophony of frog mating calls; this was their first chance to reproduce in a couple of years around here. But they were alert to every danger and fell silent on my approach - all I found was a mass of foam nests, but no frogs.
#1

Other creatures were also anxious to make the most of the late chance to breed before winter (if you can call it that here) sets in.
#2 Damselflies.

#3

#4

#5 Not now I have a headache...


#6 Double-barred finch feeding on grass seeds - wings distorted by electronic shutter mode.


#7 A curious young Magpie.


#8 Skippy with attendant Willie Wagtail.

#9 The wagtail feast on insects Skippy disturbs.

#10 When I got too close they took shelter in the bush.

[Chrisclick]

Great set of images, Richard! Who needs frogs?!

I like the damselflies and the young maggie. My favourite has to be the finch - you caught him on the hop - we don't see many of the double-barred variety down here. Always good to see a roo. I really like the light in the last shot, pity about the stem.

[Shadowman]

Nice finds instead, nice captures.

[Wavelength]

Yes, a great set of images.... Kudos

[Geoff F]

Plenty of interesting detail, particularly with the joined male and female damselflies.

[chauncey]

You need some help with wildlife identification...no frogs there

[DickyOZ]

Thanks Chris. I rather liked the young and rather cheeky magpie - the long lens blew the highlights in the white but got a lot of detail elsewhere.
Twenty years ago I could invite visitors to point to any tree in the yard and would find two or more frogs hiding in the leaves within a minute. Now I can hike halfway across the island and find nothing.

[Chrisclick]

Twenty years ago I could invite visitors to point to any tree in the yard and would find two or more frogs hiding in the leaves within a minute. Now I can hike halfway across the island and find nothing.

That's not good, Richard. Do you know whether it has ben a gradual decline in the health of the ecosystem, or was there a specific event that occurred? Do you expect the nests will yeild some tadpoles?

[bnnrcn]

Very nice set

[IzzieK]

Very interesting shots, Richard. Each series tells a story as your usual shots do. Nearing winter over your way will mean a boon to your tourism with the locals from other states going that-a-way. And you'll have more subjects to photographs including people. Near year I promised Bill that I'd take him to Queensland. Anyway, frogs are those slimy slippery thingies so you are not missing much. I love the damsel fly and your quips there. Love the roo and Willy Wagtail ones. Ken (UCCI here in Cambridge) have millions of them in his farm either passing by or just resting.

[JohnRostron]

Very nice set.

I really like the light in the last shot, pity about the stem.

Yes, this is the best image. I'm not concerned about the vertical stems, oof or not. I do find the wagtail distracting though.

John