Michigan Hiker Captures Giant Bullfrog on Phone

While hiking near a former quarry-turned-lake in Michigan, photographer Steven Scott Grogin positioned his smartphone just below the water’s surface to capture a close-up of an unusually large American bullfrog. He describes the resulting image as “surreal and mythical,” aiming to give viewers the sensation of floating alongside the amphibian.

The Guardian

Grogin rises at 6 a.m. each day, walks the 30-minute trail to the lake, and begins his hike around 7 a.m. He notes the lake’s terrain shifts from flat stretches to steep, hilly sections and supports a rich biodiversity. The quiet, private atmosphere of the spot, according to Grogin, contributes to his sense of peace while he photographs.

The Guardian

The bullfrog measured roughly six to eight inches in length, which Grogin says is the largest he has ever encountered. Because bullfrogs are both predatory and skittish, he waited for the animal to drift nearer the shore before lowering himself into the mud. He kept the phone steady, dipped the lens just below the waterline, and relied on patience and balance to obtain the shot.

The Guardian

> “It’s serene and private, and I feel very peaceful there,” — Steven Scott Grogin

The Guardian