Hotel Califrogia
This image was captured with a Samsung Digimax S500.
Herpetologist James Harrison says this is most probably a painted reed frog (Hyperolius marmoratus). He says this frog is very common in the eastern and southern parts of the country - Anne shot hers in Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal - and that it likes to take shelter in garden shrubbery.
Much like chameleons, painted reed frogs can change their colour to a degree. During the day they are lighter to reflect heat. At night they are darker, presumably so predators can’t see them.
Anne’s photo looks like that tentative first photograph one takes before moving closer, scared that the little creature might take flight when you get too close.
The composition is straightforward, with the frog dead centre and showing ample environment in the background, which helps us place the frog in its natural habitat.
If your camera has a good macro function, you can move closer to Mr Frog - it won’t bite! Just don’t get so close that the frog is out of focus.
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