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Backyard Sounds


Backyard Sounds
Photo Information
Copyright: Scott Hale (ScottHale) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 725 W: 105 N: 918] (4071)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-28
Categories: Nature
Camera: Canon 30 D, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, Kenko 77mm MC Protector
Exposure: f/2.8, 1/200 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Friday Theme 2008/06/06 "Sound" [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-06-06 8:12
Viewed: 498
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I took this hand-held, probably "too-centered" shot with a Canon 30D camera and a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens.

About 3 weeks ago, my wife and I returned home from our sons’ college graduation ceremony and dinner and we heard this incredibly loud almost “wounded” animal sound coming from the backyard area. Well, it was loud enough that my wife thought it was even closer and coming from the screened in porch. To her it sounded much like a raccoon “chirp” and to me it sounded like a wounded “bird of prey” (owl or hawk).
Not knowing which, we felt we didn’t have the time to debate because either way, our dogs had access to this area and there was no reason to have them confront by this beast! I found a flashlight and my wife returned with two HOCKEY STICKS !
Hahaha…yes I said hockey sticks!
I think it was a good idea because if I was going to confront a mad raccoon, I needed more than a flashlight. Many raccoons in this area have rabies. I wasn’t planning on hitting the raccoon, just persuading it with a small jab or two! :)

After checking the closet area in our large screened in porch we surmised that it wasn’t on the porch, it was in the backyard! In the pouring rain, in somewhat nice dinner clothing, we both searched, scanning all the areas around the swimming pool for this LOUD sound. It was so loud it was hard to imagine that we couldn’t find it. Our backyard is surrounded by a privacy fence and this just helped to amplify, echo and bounce the sound all over.
Finally, I noticed something moving on the steps of a deck that lead to the pool. It was a frog. No ordinary frog though. I usually see toads and bullfrogs in this area (but not by the pool), I have never seen a gray tree frog. I have since read that its call is so loud that it can be heard form over a mile by other frogs. I believe it!
I have since taken many photos of this frog and I believe there is another tree frog in our yard, only green. I am not totally sure though because I have read that they change colors.
Although I have delicately captured this frog to inspect him, I let him go and he still remains in my backyard. I took this photo right before the sun went down (in the golden hour) when I spotted him on the deck rail again.


I thought I’d make my first contribution to the themes that Helen creates.

This one fits best in “Sound”.

Without this frog and the sound of his call, I estimate I’d have gotten 10 or more hours of sleep!
PierreFrigon, mesquens1, Pelin, shelbeesmom, otherpete has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Helkoryo: hahahah...ScottHale 1 06-08 19:13
To ttreen: Hello TriciaScottHale 1 06-06 11:33
To toucan1967: Hi Andy,ScottHale 1 06-06 11:30
To PierreFrigon: well...ScottHale 1 06-06 11:27
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Critiques [Translate]

HA.. The notes had me laughing... So happy you both where "armed"

Fits perfect into the theme.... The details on this little guy are wonderful.. I have never seen one but we hear then once we get HOT summer nights!

Tricia

Scott

te felicito gran imagen y la edición bien lograda

Hi..
Beautiful shot...
Best regards...
Andro

Hi Scott,
Well captured shot with good sharp details, I like how these little guys stick to things, I had to laugh about the hockey sticks but I guess you can't take chances.
Regards Andy

Good capture.
Excellent sharpness and details.
Hockey sticks, hey???? Should have pt on the rest of the equipment. You never know :-).
Excellent entry for the theme.
Pierre

Olá Scott,
Engraçada. A semelhança de cores talvez possa explicar a amizade e afeição.
Boa foto.
Raimundo

  • Great 
  • Pelin Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 18 W: 3 N: 23] (394)
  • [2008-06-07 2:24]

Hello Scott! Thanks for comment on my olympus shot.
I see your gallery is full of beautiful - nature shots.
Also this one is stunnig! Perfect composition and sharpen details.
Well done,
thanks!

Hello Scott

Nicely detailed shot here of this noisy little devil, interesting notes too. In fact I had a similar situation a few weeks ago. I kept hearing a scraping sound coming from a dark area in the garden, my weapons of choice were a garden spade and a torch. Once I plucked up the courage to switch the torch on you can immagine how stupid I felt stood there armed with a garden spade and watching a snail trailing accross the patio stuck to a crispy leave that was scraping against the stones.

TFS and for joining in the theme

kind regards Helen

  • Great 
  • Somu Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 40 W: 17 N: 16] (180)
  • [2008-06-09 18:32]

Wow. Thats an excellent shot scott. Nice details. Subtle colors and great background.

  • Great 
  • Mitra Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1452 W: 75 N: 816] (7240)
  • [2008-06-27 6:11]

Good capture.Excellent sharpness and details. Well done.
Mitra

HAHA! These little things can make amazingly alot of noise and it's irritating! They chrip and make this looooong "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" It reverberates and bounces off other objects so much I can't tell where the sound is coming from! Halarious story!

This is a little TOO close for me Scott, as you could back him up a few inches and I could focus a bit more. It also would add in a bit more DOF or I could tell what was behind him more. I do however, LOVE the spread fingers! I've had one of these fly and STICK to my leg...eewwww!! The fingers draw my eyes over to the side, even though the body is centered. I also would have him facing IN, rather than OUT. Our tree frogs here are bright green with white stripes!
B-)
Linda

Great details and sharpness.. you are right about the placement aber you know the reason why you have presented it this way.. keep on shooting... beautiful gallery though...

ciao.

Great shot Scott, the DOF is excellent. The colour of the frog is so unusual and works well with the background. Excellent notes, love the bit about the loud call being heard a mile away!!

Amazing that you got such a clear shot without a tripod. Interesting and unique pose on the toad's part.

Richard

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