  In the colossal magnetoresistance manganites polarons have been proposed as
the charge carrier state which localizes across the metal-insulator transition.
The character of the polarons is still under debate. We present an assessment
of measurements which identify polarons in the metallic state of
La{2/3}Sr{1/3}MnO{3} (LSMO) and La{2/3}Ca{1/3}MnO{3} (LCMO) thin films. We
focus on optical spectroscopy in these films which displays a pronounced
resonance in the mid-infrared. The temperature dependent resonance has been
previously assigned to polaron excitations. These polaronic resonances are
qualitatively distinct in LSMO and LCMO and we discuss large and small polaron
scenarios which have been proposed so far. There is evidence for a large
polaron excitation in LSMO and small polarons in LCMO. These scenarios are
examined with respect to further experimental probes, specifically charge
carrier mobility (Hall-effect measurements) and high-temperature
dc-resistivity.
