<< Previous Next >>

Rana dalmatina


Rana dalmatina
Photo Information
Copyright: Emmanuel Boitier (emmari) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 105 W: 0 N: 387] (3105)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-03-16
Categories: Amphibians
Camera: Nikon D200, Sigma 150mm F2.8 APO Macro DG HSM
Exposure: f/8, 1/200 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-03-16 6:55
Viewed: 1012
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Portrait de Grenouille agile (Rana dalmatina)
Agile Frog in English

*Physical description
This species are skinny and have long limbs and a pointy snout. Adult males are rarely larger than 6.5 centimeters, while females can get up to 8 centimeters. Its ventral surface is light brown, reddish-brown, or light greyish-brown with very little contrast. There are triangles reaching from the temple to the eardrum, which are dark brown. The underside of the Agile Frog is white without any spots. During mating season, the males often become dark brown. The hind legs are unusually long, which allow this species to jump further than other similar frogs - they have been known to jump up to two meters in distance. The pupils are horizontal. The color of the upper third of the iris (above the pupil) is lighter and gold in coloration. The tympanum is about the size of the diameter of the eye. The gland stripes on the frogs back are not very developed and partially interrupted.

*Reproduction
The call is a fairly quiet "wog ... wog ... wog", and can go on for up to 12 seconds. They often also call underwater, so that the calls can only be hear from a very short distance by observers. Spawning only lasts a few days and during this period the males sometimes gather in large calling groups on the water surface to attracts females. In Central Europe, spawing usually occurs in the first 20 days of March, but can also be delayed, depending on the weather.
The spawn clumps consist of 450 to 1800 eggs and are usually attached to tree branches, roots, or plant stems at depths of 5 to 40 centimeters. Therefore, they rarely sink to the bottom. Unlike the Moor Frog (Rana arvalis) and Common Frog (Rana temporaria), the Agile Frog does not lay its spawn all in the one clump. The diameter of a single egg is - not counting - the gelatinous shell, is 1.5 to 2.1 millimeters.

*Habitat
The agile frog prefers light deciduous mixed forests with a lot of water. The open land around a forest is often also populated, as long as it is connected to the forest by shrubs. In dry, warm forests, this species often also lives far away from the water. Of the three Middle European Rana, it is the frog which likes warmth and dryness the most.
The Agile Frog can be found in France, parts of Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, on the Balkans, even in Greece and by the Black Sea.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agile_Frog

Hope you like it.
methos, keanhoon, falke, clnaef, horia has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hi Emmanuel,
The details in the eye are amazing and the colors as well.
Great post!
TFS!

Your sharp focus on its eyes caused the nose looks longer, nice shot.

  • Great 
  • falke Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 156 W: 17 N: 458] (1682)
  • [2007-03-16 7:41]

Yes, I like this. Beautiful POV and interesting eye contact. Nice colours with the calm background. Maybe an even smaller aperture and the resulting increase in focus would have enhanced it even further.

TFS/Bengt Falke

Bonjour,
Avec de yeux comme ceux-là on doit bien voir !
Bonne journée.
clnaef

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2173 W: 219 N: 4384] (14904)
  • [2007-03-17 5:55]

Salut Emmanuel

What an interesing and beautiful frontal portrait of this cute R. dalmatina.
It was a little dirty on the neck, huh? :))) Nevermind that...i really love the attention you gave to the eyes with your impeccable focus.
The shallow DOF is wonderful and works terrific and the details are super-sharp.
Lovely composition, too.

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Great photo with a very nice exposure. I personally would like to see more DOF from the front of the mouth to at least the behind the eyes. The important thing is that the eyes are in focus. :)

Bonjour Emmanuel,

Ramarquable cette photo, le piqué est formidable!
Je reviens de ton nouveau site, et je dois dire qu'il est superbe et tres bien réalisé!! Les photos sont remarquable (comme à ton habitude!!)

Mad

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF