WELCOME TO Val's Alentejo -I write about my region of Alentejo. My art ,painting, my cottages, Family life, my animals -Travels And my love for Roses- and rural country life.

Friday 21 November 2014

something different

No.. its not a blank photo.  Its our blue blue sky this morning.  After over 8 days or so of heavy rainfall and everything so muddy.. The sun is out and drying up some of our soggy ground. 
I took my camera and walked around the garden. Filipe has been trying to teach me (macro) techniques and close ups.  I just started looking for odd things.  I started with some flowers  .  Then walked to the other side of the pool to the garden side there .






             This is what i spied.  It was so so tiny, my eyes nearly missed it.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  I found it the most fascinating frog specie... long back legs.. and you can see the black stripe that goes up to his eyes.  
                                        He has a white under belly and his eyes were watching me. I moved very stealthily hoping he would hop away.


Isn't he just so beautiful.  I think its my photo of the year.

Experimenting with a different and better camera.  That i put up on my my book shelf for a while.. I am pleased with my progress.

Thanking all my dear blogging friends who left comments on my last blog.

looks like we are in for a sunny day.    Wishing you all a happy weekend.

Val.

If anyone knows the name of this frog.. I would love to know.   Off to google it now.

27 comments:

  1. adorable little tree frog! congratulations on a break in the weather!

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    1. Thanks Tex.
      I did not know it was a tree frog.
      Its been a beautiful day today.. lifts one's spirits. x

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  2. Oh Val, I do the same experiements with my new camera. Your close ups are great, it must be so difficult to photograph a frog in motion...
    Wish you a happy weekend and keep trying with the camera, that gives such a pleasure!
    Olympia

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    1. Thank you Olympia.
      Yes, i have noticed you have posted about your photos.. I was given the camera by my middle son Miguel.. its a complicated Canon..but i am just experimenting and will get to where i would like to be.

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  3. Dear Val - how lucky are you - a European Tree Frog and what a little beauty he is. I would love to find one in my garden, but alas they cannot be found here.

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  4. Dear Rosemary,
    I am so pleased to know what it is.. a European tree frog. He is just so beautiful.. i was so fascinated with it.. i kept going back.
    I have learnt something new today. I am wondering if they make a strange noise..because i have had some weird sounds coming from around the house and the trees.. frog like sounds I think. Thanks for coming to visit.

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    1. Val you can hear European Tree frogs on Youtube or you can copy and paste this and hear it:-
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKxAh5LCiHQ

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    2. I did that after finding out it was a European tree frog.. It has a large pocket that comes out from under its chin when calling. Thank you Rosemary. Its the first i have ever seen. And the noise is that of the frog.

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  5. Playing with the camera can be so much fun, Val and discovering that tiny green fellow was a reward in my book!...:)JP

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    1. I was so delighted to discover the little European tree frog hiding in my flowers.. It was a reward JP. Thanks.
      I gave myself a pat on the back. );-

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  6. Val, Darn, I knew it was a tree frog but they beat me to it. Oh well, I'll just say your photos came out great. Of course, I love the little frog but the dove on the telephone pole and the mushrooms are really great too..Happy Weekend and glad you have some sun. We are having rain right now..Judy

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    1. Hi Judy, well at least you knew more than me.. I must have loads around the place.. Its the first i have ever seen. I was delighted.
      I think its the same dove that comes to the electric pole all the time.
      Thanks for coming over. Hope your rain abates a little.. ours has. x

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  7. Dearest Val , how are you ? You have a new camera and you took lovely photos ! You must be very happy ! Have a nice weekend my friend .

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    1. Hello dearest Olympia.
      I have had the camera since last August..but not used it too much. I am back using it again. I am very happy.
      So nice to see you.
      wishing you a good weekend too.xx

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  8. Dear Val, what a dear little green frog you have found - it has been a long time since I saw one here, and I love your photos. The new camera looks like fun, and great shots of the dove, and the other things around your house. Happy Sunday! xx

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    1. Thanks Patricia,
      I was so excited when i saw him..like a child.. silly really
      I am enjoying the camera. lots to learn.
      I need a longer lense.

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  9. Dear Val, Stay with your camera and take lots of pictures and notes. It is easy to forget settings but making notes as you go along will help.
    It looks to me like a new star is born. He is a most handsome green.

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    1. Thank you Gina.
      I was talking to a friend yesterday.. we both said the same..that i should write down what and how i took certain photos. Thanks for that tip.
      Isn't he just so lovely. I dont think i will find him again. or another.
      xxx

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  10. Val,
    These pictures are wonderful. This little guy looks cautious, I can't believe he let you take pictures of him. What an interesting tree. It looks like something is growing on it. And those flowers, very unique. I'm so glad you're experimenting with your new camera. Isn't it fun? I'm sure you will find many things around your house to take pictures of.

    It is our Thanksgiving this week, and I'm so thankful for my blog friend in Portugal.

    love,
    ~Sheri

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    1. Thanks Sheri,
      I wasnt close to him.. i took a close up of him.
      yes its a sort of fungus growing on the tree.
      Its awful weather now. so no photographs.
      hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving.

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  11. Wonderful pictures, Val! That frog is adorable. I'm so glad you had some nice weather. Have a good week. xx

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    1. Thank you Jen.. i was thrilled to catch sight of him.
      A joyful thanksgiving.

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  12. Hi Val.....A couple of years ago I wrote a post about green tree frog I found in the garden....You won"t believe how loud their call is until you hear it! He was absolutely one of the most beautiful creatures I have ever photographed. Listen for him at night....

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    1. How amazing.. the tree frog.. this one is European.. i dont know if there is a difference. I listned to their noise.. incredible

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  13. I enjoyed the experiments with your camera. The pictures of the frog are so good. Would you have noticed it if you weren't doing close up's? Sarah x

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  14. I don't know what he is. but he's very handsome! x

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  15. Vak, I'm glad thec rain has stopped for you and love the photos of the frog.

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