There aren't as many frogs in and about Walnut Creek as I would like, and usually I see only fleeting images of the ones that are here. There's the sound of a ker-plunk as I walk along the creek bank, I see a swirl of sediment, and a frog underwater darting to hide itself on the opposite side of the creek.

Most likely, the reason for the low frog population is that most species of frogs prefer still or slow-moving water like ' ponds, marshes, and bogs, especially for breeding. Calm water provides a stable environment for eggs and developing tadpoles, which can be washed away in strong currents. Having an abundance of Great Blue Herons and Black Rat Snakes doesn't help the frog numbers either.

Bull Frog submerged in Walnut Creek    (+)    

You can't have everything, so I try to enjoy the frogs that are here, and this particular frog was more enjoyable then most. Walking along the bank, I heard the telltale ker-plunk, saw a swirl of sediment, but no frog darting to the other side. The sediment slowly cleared as I looked on and I was surprised to see a bullfrog, facing me a few feet away, in about three inches of water. It apparently had simply made a U-turn after it jumped in and stayed still as the sediment settled. Sand and silt even settled on the frog. I hesitated to move at first because I didn't want to scare it away, but when I stepped closer, it remained perfectly still. The water was so clear and the frog's pose was so good, I took a chance and went to the studio for my camera.

When I got back, I crouched down close and took a number of photographs and it still never moved. I wondered if it somehow felt I couldn't see it when the truth was I've never had such a close up look at a frog in it's natural habitat. I finally went back to work, but couldn't help but wonder about the frog, and I was relieved when an hour later I went out to find it gone. Maybe that was it's strategy, to bore me until I gave up and left it alone. I doubt that, but I hope it has a better plan for a Great Blue Heron or a Black Rat Snake.