Hopping alongside the Potomac River

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Hopping alongside the Potomac River

July 27, 2017 by Mike Powell

As I walked along a trail paralleling the Potomac River one morning last week, I noticed some movement near the water’s edge. Moving closer, I spotted some tiny frogs—they seemed to be only about an inch or so in size (25 mm). Many of them hopped away as I continued my approach, but one of them jumped onto a rock and posed for me.

I was able to capture a lot of details of this frog, but am having trouble identifying its species. I have a lot more experience identifying birds and insects—I am not a frogman. Despite my ineptitude at identification, I really like the photo and the way that the background seems to mirror the colors, patterns, and texture of this tiny frog.

Posted in Amphibians, frog, Macro Photography, Nature, Photography | Tagged Canon 50D, frog, Great Falls VA, Potomac River, Riverbend Park, Tamron 180mm | 9 Comments

9 Responses

on July 27, 2017 at 11:42 am | Reply Laura (PA Pict)

What an adorable wee fellow. I love the way the patterns on his skin seem to echo the orange lichen blotches on the rocks. It makes for a really cohesive portrait. I hope someone can help you identify the species.
on July 27, 2017 at 11:45 am | Reply noraparker3

Hi Mike – I love your posts! I contacted you a while ago about using one of your beaver photos as reference for a beaver painting I was working on at the time. I didn’t end up using the exact pose, but I did look at the photo a lot as I worked on facial expression. You’d asked if I would share it when completed, so here’s a lo-res version of it.

Thanks so much for your work documenting your natural world! We are kindred spirits in that regard. I’m out here in Oregon, getting ready for a show documenting the residents of our city’s open spaces.

Warmly, Nora

Nora Sherwood, GISP Science Illustration and Wildlife Art nora@frii.com | 541-283-5949http://www.norasherwood.com | Lincoln City, OR Oregon Women-Owned Business & Emerging Small Business Certified

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- on July 28, 2017 at 7:33 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  That’s pretty exciting news, Nora. We indeed share a love of showcasing the beauty of the natural world, I checked out your website and am blown away by your art–it is simply amazing. I am not sure if you tried to attach a low-res image to your note, but it seems that WordPress didn’t let it happen. If you want to send a file to me, you might want to try to do so by using my e-mail, mqpowe@bellatlantic.net . Have a wonderful weekend.
on July 27, 2017 at 7:49 pm | Reply Dan Antion

He’s a cutie.
- on July 28, 2017 at 4:32 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Dan. I’ve decided it is probably a toad and not a frog, but it doesn’t make him any less cute.
  - on July 28, 2017 at 5:26 pm Dan Antion
    
    My wife has a toad that visits her garden and eats bugs. She calls him her handsome prince.
  - on July 28, 2017 at 9:15 pm Mike Powell
    
    I thought you were her handsome prince 🙂
  - on July 28, 2017 at 9:20 pm Dan Antion
    
    I can’t compete with something that can eat its weight in bugs 😏
on July 28, 2017 at 4:05 pm | Reply Robert Kirkendall

The house I grew up in was built on a filled in swamp and the frogs were everywhere. Probably not anymore though