Marsh Frogs, Smooth Newt and Dragonfly Larva.

[JaySteel]

Hi Everyone,
I visited a pond in Kent yesterday to try and photograph some Marsh Frogs. It was pretty cold (4 degrees) when I got there at 9am so it took a couple of hours before they started to make an appearance. By 11am it was 14 degrees and in the next couple of hours I saw 10 of them. No grass snakes yesterday though despite the sunshine. Them frogs are a nightmare to catch! They're so quick! It took me ages to finally catch a couple with my 10ft net and they were only sub-adults. I only saw one decent sized example all day and I couldn't get anywhere near it before it fled. I did accidentally catch a very attractive smooth newt whilst trying to catch a frog though. I also caught a scary looking dragonfly larva. It was pretty big but I have no idea what species it might be.
I thought I'd share my photos with you.


Regards,

Jason



http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/702/marshfrog1jasonsteel600.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/600/marshfrog1jasonsteel600.jpg/)



http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/5620/marshfrog2jasonsteel600.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/28/marshfrog2jasonsteel600.jpg/)



http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/3121/marshfrog3jasonsteel600.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/832/marshfrog3jasonsteel600.jpg/)



http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/5556/marshfrogpond2jasonstee.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/718/marshfrogpond2jasonstee.jpg/)



http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/152/smoothnewt1jasonsteel60.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/818/smoothnewt1jasonsteel60.jpg/)



http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/8757/smoohnewt2jasonsteel600.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/705/smoohnewt2jasonsteel600.jpg/)


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[JaySteel]

Does anyone else think this dragonfly larva's head looks a little snakey?


http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/5360/dragonflylarvajasonstee.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/853/dragonflylarvajasonstee.jpg/)



http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/2569/dragonflylarva2jasonste.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/811/dragonflylarva2jasonste.jpg/)



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[Trollbie]

I didn't until you mentioned it! lol

[BarelyBreathing]

That's an interesting newt. I especially like the dragonfly. Thanks for sharing.

[JaySteel]

Thanks for your comments.

Jason

[shaunyboy]

great proffesional pic's mate

dragon fly larvae is my favorite out this batch:D

thanks for sharing

cheers shaun

[Trent]

Nice pics!!!

[JaySteel]

Thanks Shaun & Trent. This is the first time that I've photographed any of these species so I was well pleased with these shots.

Jason

[JaySteel]

Here's one more of the Marsh Frog:


http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/5589/marshfrog4jasonsteel600.jpg


Jason

[jarich]

Dragonflies are pretty evil looking in some of those early stages. The stage where they are still in the water looks like something out of Alien.

[GarterPython]

Those are some awesome pictures.

[Trollbie]

Dragonflies are pretty evil looking in some of those early stages. The stage where they are still in the water looks like something out of Alien.

So that thing will look like a pretty dragonfly eventually?

[jarich]

Soon, yes. I think in just one more stage, but I may be wrong.

[Trollbie]

Soon, yes. I think in just one more stage, but I may be wrong.

I hope so lol. Otherwise I've never seen a dragonfly like that

[JaySteel]

Thanks for your comments. Yes, a couple more months and this ugly beast will turn into the UK's largest dragonfly, the Emperor.


Jason