Photo of the Day (2.1.09)

It looks like Flickr user wetboxers is having a lot more fun than any of us at the moment. This image of him jumping into the crater lake of Mount Pinatubo is actually a composite of several different time-lapsed shots, which I assume have been stitched together in Photoshop. It’s a fun bit of digital trickery that makes the image that much more interesting. And frankly, between the gorgeous vista behind and him and the energetic activity in the foreground, I think I’m about ready to join in!

Have any great travel shots you’d like to share with the world? Why not add them to our Gadling pool on Flickr. We might just pick one of yours as our Photo of the Day.

Calaveras County’s Dueling Frog-Jumping Contests?

Inspired by a short story by Mark Twain, the Calaveras County Fair has hosted the annual Jumping Frog Jubilee each year since 1928. However, Fair organizers claim that low turnout during last year’s fair means they can’t pay the Angels Camp Boosters Club — which has judged the jubilee since its inception — to oversee this year’s contest. Naturally, this has made the Club hopping mad. Rather than judge for free, the Club has decided to organize it own jumping frog contest.

Consequently, Calaveras County will host dueling frog-jumping events this year, during the week of May 16-20. Though the Club hasn’t announced entrance details about its contest, if you’re interested in entering your jumper in the Fair’s contest, the owner of the winning frog grabs a $750 prize. If your frog breaks the record set by Rosie the Ribeter in 1986, you get $5000. Guess how far Rosie jumped that year?

21 feet, 5¾ inches!