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Frog activity in my modest pond has been gradually increasing over the last few weeks.
This afternoon, the croaking was really excellent. I managed to squeeze off just one shot before the wary couple slid below the surface.
The light was appalling - I used the camera, hand held, at ISO400, f5.6 at 1/8th of a second with my "dust pump" zoomed right out to 400mm.
It is testament to the IS on the Canon lens that, at pixel level, the camera shake is certainly visible, but not excessive!
Pre Image Stabilisation, I wouldn't have even bothered getting the camera out with 400mm on it if I couldn't get 1/250 hand held - and even then it was dodgy!

Spring is here.

Glad your dust pump is still performing Roger

No frogs shown up here yet....

Denise

Cracking shot Roger... no frogs here yet, but will be seeing some in April

.... ahum

Excellent photograph.

We have about a dozen frogs in our pond at the moment. I don't expect there'll be any spawn before the end of the month at the earliest though.

She looks bored. Not that I would suggest there is anything familiar in that.....

Jack

Total frog count today was 45 in a pond 10' x 5' with 3 little waterfall ponds about the size of a kitchen sink.
Also "at it" were 8 toads and 10+ palmate newts.
About 3 years ago I persuaded the boss to get rid of the gold fish. Since then the amount of dragon/damselflies has increased probably 10 fold, and frogs, toads, newts have increased similarily.

Denise - the dust pump is performing faultlessly. I am sure you are glad it has gone to a good and appreciative, home!

Paul we already have 5 large patches of frog spawn, and a few strands of toad spawn. Newts are not so noticeable, but there must be plenty. I guess the milder weather in Devon compared to the harsher northern climes would account for our differences.

Jack - I have never had a woman bored - hysterical laughter, or terrified screaming, but never bored.

Paul - Nick only 70 sleeps.!

Roger rather foolishly said:

....I have never had a woman bored - hysterical laughter....

I do have to wonder about the reason for the hysterical laughter

Jack

Sometimes it's better not to ask, Jack, as you probably don't want to know the answer.

Sometimes it's better not to ask, Jack, as you probably don't want to know the answer.

No, No, No! It was Roger who was provoking the hysterical laughter.

Jack

Jack
It is, of course, my sharp witted sense of humour that causes the hysterical laughter.
What on earth else could you have been thinking of?

I've got used to comments about the impressive size of my

I've got used to comments about the impressive size of my

Sorry about that. I hit the submit button prematurely.

As I was saying, I've got used to comments about the impressive size of my beer belly.

Jack

And there was me thinking you were going to say "sense of humour"