It is rice planting time in Japan, which also means it’s frog season. The paddies have been flooded ready for cultivation and thousands of frogs have adopted them as their new homes. Quiet evenings are set to a cacophony of frog chorus- adding to the early summer atmosphere as they blend peacefully into background noise. Paul McCartney would like it. As well as frogs, the lizards have awoken from hibernation, the sun putting a hop back in their step. I spotted this colourful one on an early evening stroll around a rice paddy, troubling him for a picture.
snow monkey photography 
Jo June 5, 2012
He looks less than happy about his current predicament I must say…
winegums June 6, 2012
He wriggled a little bit but then settled down and seemed to like it. How was your wedding… And the wedding photography? What camera is it that you have by the way? I remember you saying you had got one but I don’t think I asked what.
Helen June 5, 2012
Wow – it’s a fantastic colour!
winegums June 6, 2012
Thanks! Its a pretty striking red. I guess that means he is poisonous… Or trying to trick people into thinking that he is.
Vividhunter June 6, 2012
That’s a akahara imori, or Japanese fire bellied salamander, most common salamander in Japan. I don’t think they’re poisonous, but there are a heap of them at the moment!
winegums June 6, 2012
I thought it might be a salamander! A fire bellied one no less 🙂 There are a lot of them at the moment, especially in and around the rice paddies.