Gray Tree Frog (hyla versicolor)

This image is available for sale on Getty Images.

This image got a lot of buzz on Flickr when I posted it, which was fun. It’s been viewed over 1,200 times as of this writing, which for me, is a lot. Before this, I think my most viewed photo was a throw-away shot of some red Tretorn boots, which I don’t really care for, but has been used on more blogs than I can keep track of.

This is a gray tree frog, or hyla versicolor. Beautiful yellow on the inside of its legs (you can just see a bit on its left back leg in this photo). Lovely fingers – made for climbing, not swimming. When I moved my hand around it would simply climb back to where it was perching instead of hanging beneath my finger. It was quite the mellow frog. Maybe most fun was being able to feel each of its finger tips as it gripped me. I released it next to a birch tree where it completely disappeared without moving. Lovely camouflage, even its eyes blend in to its surroundings. I’ve never seen one before, but this one had wandered onto a blue tarp, making it very easy for Claire to spot.

Comments

  1. Kristi Hines says:

    I can see why it’s so popular – what a great photo and opportunity. I haven’t seen a frog in ages, let alone one I could put on my finger!
    Kristi Hines recently posted Baby Koala

  2. Ava @ Car Title Loans says:

    He is a cutie. I can see why it’s viewed so much; it’s a well-captured with nice color and good focus. Every tree frog I’ve seen is green so this is a nice change!

  3. Philip says:

    What a cool shot of such a beautiful creature. So tiny, yet it seems totally at peace on the end of your finger. The background really brings out the frog too, nice work!
    Philip recently posted Welcome to Stradbroke Island

  4. Jane Cooper @ online shopping ireland says:

    Great focus and macro as well, it’s realy nice picture : )

  5. What a lovely little creature. And I love the way you captured it in such a delicate way, both visually and physically.

  6. Nathalie says:

    OMG that such a cool frog. Kudos for the picture.
    Nathalie recently posted Tips and tricks to relieve your damn eczema

  7. Nabil @ how to bring on labour says:

    Now that’s what I call a cute frog. I really, really, really hope it’s not dangerous… because some of those are. I heard a guy once got killed by a frog :)

    And oh, you’re a good photographer in case someone didn’t tell you that before! Keep doing your thang.

  8. I never liked frogs, so this gives me the heebie geebies. However, when my young daughter saw this picture she automatically thought of her favorite movie “The Princess and the Frog,” and said that she wanted to kiss it to see if it would turn into a prince! Maybe that’s why this picture got so many views on Flickr! Women in search of Prince Charming has found him in this photo.

  9. Penny @ Xenerol Conveyor says:

    He looks so peaceful just sitting up there on your finger. How did you get him to get on your finger? I remember when I was younger, I would play with worms and let ants crawl on my hands, but now I can’t even picture myself letting that happen again. Where’s the Princess? :)

    • James Lee says:

      Yeah, I couldn’t let bugs crawl on me… but the frog was fun.

      The princess is my wife – she found the frog, but rather than kiss it, gave it to me so I could take its picture. ;-)

  10. Namcameron @ sell used books says:

    James wonderful image!!! Glads she gave it to you, tree frogs are funny, did he have sticky pads on his feet? We have them all over the place here. Teeny tiny about the size of a fingernail and they don’t croak they chirp.

  11. Rob @ Wildlife Books says:

    It’s a 1st rate image. Frogs are interesting creatures, there’s a few that live in my garden; but they’re not as small as that one.

  12. Ira @ Chicago Remodeling says:

    The photo is obviously amazing! But what amazes me most is the fact that the frog is on your fingertips.lol I find you so brave because I’m afraid of frogs no matter how big or tiny they are. Though I find this one cute and beautiful (but still won’t touch it).

  13. This is not only a really cool photo, but the fact that you saw this frog and you were able to pick it up without it scurrying away is very cool as well!

  14. Denis @ Dumpster Rental says:

    Excellent work! Quality pictures at the highest level. Good luck in your endeavors!

  15. Cute little frog. It looks so relaxed and calm. It only sits there on a finger and looking from afar. I don’t hate frogs, however, I don’t like touching them. They’re slimy and the skins feels so soft that I think it would burst forth when I put my finger on it.

  16. An excellent shot, really crisp and clear.
    If you ever get a chance to photograph a green tree frog, they’re very photogenic, especially with a good leaf as a blurry background.

  17. Kayla @ Online Furniture Stores says:

    Stunning photo. I love that this little guy is so chill. I am impressed that he just on your finger like that and didn’t try to get away from you.

  18. Karen @ SEO Los Angeles says:

    Incredible shot. What lens did you end up using?

  19. June @ Therapist New York says:

    I love this picture so much, I have to send it to my cousin. I have very fond memories of tree frogs, going to upstate New York when I was a child, my cousin and I used to ‘collect’ tree frogs- which our parents didn’t mind until we would accumulate too many! I also remember seeing them when I used to go to summer camp, so many of the other girls would be upset or scared by them but I loved them! They’re fun to hold and ‘play’ with. My aunt and uncle always bring up tree frogs in upstate NY in conversation when I see them. :)

  20. David Bennett @ quillcards ecard says:

    Lovely photo – and so is the red shoes photo, and I can see why it is so popular.

    Tiny frog – what a wonderful world.

    (Hope I followed the [email protected] policy correctly?)
    David Bennett recently posted Wild Asses At PlayMy Profile

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