For everyone who knows me, they know I love nothing more than an extremely hoppy IPA. Especially on a hot summer’s day. But even IPAs can meet their match.
Frogs.
Last summer, after getting up at 5am everyday for almost a month straight, I promised Jill a day off. After all, the summer is her vacation.
But I kept postponing the day off until my good friend and colleague, Crista Valentino, forced the issue and, with her boyfriend Taylor, joined us for a night of camping at Yellowstone’s Slough Creek.
As Taylor fished for dinner, Crista, Jill and I caught up stream-side on that hot July afternoon. It was the perfect moment to put away the camera.
Then along came a frog.
Jill, spotter extraordinaire, excitedly pointed out our new guest in a small pool of water next to the river. Then I noticed it was being closely watched by a snake.
Two of my favourite creatures in one spot?! It was like a sign from above that there should never be a photographic-free day.
I quickly calculated the odds of running to the campsite, getting my gear, and making it back before either subject disappeared. I decided I had a chance.
Before Jill or Crista could react, I was gone.
Within five minutes I had returned – covered in sweat and out of breath – to find the frog and snake in the same position.
The snake was a fun sight and I snapped a few photographs before it calculated its own odds and decided a meal of frog legs was not in the cards. It disappeared from sight.
But the frog hung around. And I started moving myself stealthy in position to get the images I wanted without frightening my subject.
After an hour of peaceful stream-side relaxation (for Jill and Crista) and frog photography (for me), I was offered the choice. An ice cold IPA around the camp-stove or more frog photography.
It wasn’t even a choice.
Every now and then, the frog would shift locations until finally it was in the perfect light.
At this point, other fly fishermen started wandering by, each giving me a polite nod, accompanied by a perplexed look, as I laid sprawled out on a slippery rock, photographing this small amphibian.
Clearly, frog photography is an acquired taste.
It’s also dangerous.
As I closed in on getting the shot I wanted, I came to realize that putting all of my weight on a slippery rock was probably not my most ingenious idea.
Miraculously, I got the images I wanted before I predictably slid off the bolder and into the water.
I’m happy to report that neither camera nor frog was injured in this shameful moment, but the trade-off was a fall-and-roll to save the day that soaked my clothes and forced me to use my head to cushion the landing. A worthwhile trade-off in my book.
As I look back on this photo shoot, I’m reminded yet again why I should never leave my camera behind.
Jill, of course, is reminded as to why she should sometimes keep sightings to herself if she wants to enjoy my company on photographic-free days.
– D. Simon Jackson | GhostBearPhotography.com
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