Shot of the Day – 24 – Frog at Rest

Giant Waxy Tree Frog – Phyllomedusa bicolor

National Aquarium, Baltimore (7 February 2006)

It’s Winter again and aside from the occasional male cardinal at the bird feeder, brown is the brightest color outside. Unless it’s a blue-sky day, everything is a shade of gray. However, if you’re lucky, you might live near places where colorful life is vibrant all year round.

When I lived in Milwaukee, I especially enjoyed going to the Mitchell Park Conservatory (“The Domes”) in the winter. It is quite pleasant to meander through lush tropical and desert vegetation when it’s below zero outside.

Blue Poison Dart Frog, Dendrobates tinctorius

National Aquarium, Baltimore (7 February 2006)

These shots were taken on a February day at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. There you can find terrific displays of aquatic creatures from all sorts of freshwater and marine environments. Under the glass roof is a tropical rain forest with trees and birds. Nearby are small glass displays with these colorful amphibians.

So, if you can’t fly away to Costa Rica or the Amazon basin, fight off those winter doldrums by visiting an aquarium, zoo or conservatory. Vivid, striking colors will brighten your spirits—and you’re likely to learn something, too.