As I listen to the spring peepers outside my window, I’m reminded of some of my favorite frogs from past adventures. This was certainly one of the most conspicuous I’ve met — the appropriately named tomato frog. Like much of the wildlife on Madagascar, the tomato frog (of which there are three species) is endangered. The bright red females are much larger than the males (4 inches vs 2 to 3 in length). The males also lack the red coloring and are mostly brown. Photographed in Maroantsetra. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 80mm with Canon 500D close up filter) ISO 100, f/5.6 at 1/60th of a second.
My grandmother was born in Italy, and she used to grow the biggest, juiciest tomato frogs in her backyard garden. She would tell me “heya little Luigi, these Americans, they don’t a know what a real tomato is supposed to a be, ah?” But man oh man, when brought them into the kitchen to make tomato frog sauce with, it was the most heinous thing you could possible imagine. Truly retching. That was decades ago and I still gag at the thought.
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As I listen to the spring peepers outside my window, I’m reminded of some of my favorite frogs from past adventures. This was certainly one of the most conspicuous I’ve met — the appropriately named tomato frog. Like much of the wildlife on Madagascar, the tomato frog (of which there are three species) is endangered. The bright red females are much larger than the males (4 inches vs 2 to 3 in length). The males also lack the red coloring and are mostly brown. Photographed in Maroantsetra. Nikon D200 with Nikkor 80-200mm lens (at 80mm with Canon 500D close up filter) ISO 100, f/5.6 at 1/60th of a second.
Learning experience again never knew there is a Red variety of Frogs
She is a beauty We’re you right at her level for the picture
I was. Actually about a foot in front of her. But most frogs are unusually patient subjects.
My grandmother was born in Italy, and she used to grow the biggest, juiciest tomato frogs in her backyard garden. She would tell me “heya little Luigi, these Americans, they don’t a know what a real tomato is supposed to a be, ah?” But man oh man, when brought them into the kitchen to make tomato frog sauce with, it was the most heinous thing you could possible imagine. Truly retching. That was decades ago and I still gag at the thought.
I can picture young Luigi now and his distaste of tomato frog sauce.
Love this guy!!
Not sure I will ever think of BLT sandwiches in quite the same way!
They are aptly named little amphibians. Actually pretty big amphibians.
I’m speechless!