American Green Tree Frog Perfect Pose on a Lotus Stem

Some days the refuge hands you the shot you have been hoping for. This was one of those days at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

I stopped at the Phillip Parks Memorial Fishing Pier near the Reeves Boat Ramp, like I often do. This time, I found an American green tree frog posed just right on a lotus stem.

Wildlife Notes

The frog was perched on a lotus plant stem and looked alert. It even faced my direction, which gave the image a lot more life.

Most of the time, I see these frogs flattened against whatever they are resting on. That can look calm, but it is not always as dynamic in a photo. This one held itself up and wrapped around the stem in a way that felt almost intentional.

It was also a small subject. The frog was under two inches long, so I had to be careful with focus and camera shake.

If you want to see more of these frogs at this time of year, here’s another post from me: American Green Tree Frogs in the Summer Sun

This is exactly why I keep coming back to this pier. One visit might be quiet. The next one might deliver something unexpected.

Photography Notes

For this shot I used a long focal length so I could keep my distance and avoid spooking the frog. I also stopped down to hold detail on the face and body.

Camera settings

• Camera: Canon EOS R5
• Lens: Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
• Focal length: 500mm
• Aperture: f/8
• Shutter speed: 1/320 sec
• ISO: 6400
• Exposure compensation: 0
• Support: Hand-held

Hand-holding at 500mm takes focus and steady technique. I braced as best I could and shot a short burst to improve my odds. Getting the eyes sharp was the whole goal.

Closing

This frog reminded me that a “routine” stop can turn into a favorite frame. Find a place you can return to often, and let it surprise you over time. That kind of repetition is where a lot of my best photos start.