Before the bushfires arrived here and distracted me, I found a dead frog floating in a container of water.
Poor dead frog.
I wondered how it died, did it drown or was there a less apparent cause of death? I took photos of the dead frog and then put the frog into the birdbath, so it looked like it was still alive.
I was hoping that a bird would come down and eat the frog, it was a rather large and juicy frog and so by becoming a meal its death would have had a purpose.
The next morning the dead frog was still in the same spot. Obviously the native birds like their froggy snacks to be a bit more wriggly and alive.
I photographed the frog again and then put it out into the sun so that it would dry out. A part of me was still hoping that a Joe Whitty would fly down for an opportunistic snack.
The next day was the day of the bushfires and searing 42 degree heat. Lots of small creatures died that day, spiders, lizards, grasshoppers but it was too hot and smoky to do anything other than to note their passing. Poor small creatures.
After I had photographed the dead skink, I put it into the sun with the frog and photographed them as they dried out.
Life is hard when you are a small creature. Here are these small creatures, I give them to you internet so that you too can mark their passing and I ask you to wonder how many small creatures vanish without us ever giving them a second thought.
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Ahhh – I have water out for small nermals all summer. … but this more extreme climate we are heading into is going to wipe out a lot more I think.
Poor wildlife:( I’m like you, I like it when death and decay can give purpose. I think it’s why I’m turning into such a big compost nerd
Too many small creatures vanish. And too many of them are vanishing forever. Tigers (much as I love them) are sexy so people care about their impending extinction more. However, frogs, spiders, lizards are probably essential to more than we now.
Hey. I am sad now. Stop it.
Well, that was interesting. I clicked on comments and my whole screen went blank, then a message popped up saying Firefox had crashed and would restore soon. And it did.
Your photos from yesterday and today are sad but stunning, I love that red fire photo, although it makes me sad to think that is Tassie burning.
I’ve been putting out water for the tiny animals now that the weather is so hot.
Since I got into macro photography I’m looking at all the creepy crawlies differently. Amazing things go on in the tiny animal world if you take the time and effort to really look at it. Your photos are a bit macabre, but beautiful. I’m so sorry you are all hit by the bushfires. It must be horrible. For humans as well as for all the animals involved. So so sorry… 🙁
Fascinating photos, and it is unfortunate that the heat is so harsh for the smaller creatures. Wishing you rain of the elephants and hippos type [much more than cats and dogs] and that the fires will be put out.
They’re beautiful animals even in death.
We’re all in this together, “all creatures great and small”. Far too often this is forgotten, but not by all. I just wish those who cared deeply wielded more power. I suspect the other species on this planet could get by very well – in fact far, far better – without us. We will perish without them.