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SMALL IS BEAUTY


SMALL IS BEAUTY
Photo Information
Copyright: Radomir Jaskula (cicindela) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1165 W: 0 N: 2503] (7278)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-05-21
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5400, 35-105 mm 1:4,5-5,6, @ ISO 100
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Amphibians and reptiles of Poland, Turtles - Tortugas - Tortues, Reptiles of Europe, Reptiles (Reptilia) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-03-19 9:26
Viewed: 977
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Short break from insects and landscapes and today a reptile photo :>

On the picture there are young individuals of endangered and strictly protected in Poland - European Pond Terrapin Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758), the only turtle species occurring in Central Europe.
Moreover, this species is the only one native species of family Emydidae in Europe.
On the other hand this is one of 9 reptile species known from Poland.

In Poland this species can be found mainly in east part of country where the biggest Polish population can be found. The Poleski National Park is one of these places where E. orbicularis is reproducing with success :>
Moreover, every year scientists working in Poleski NP collect eggs of this species and in laboratory to take care about them until young turtles will appear. As a result local population is one of the strongest in Poland.

In nature E. orbicularis usually can be found in small natural ponds and other water reservoirs with aquatic vegetation, very often localized in the middle of forest areas. This species does not like human activities and is rather hard to see in the wild, especially as the adults. Young turtles are more active during the day and unfortunatelly less careful, so many of them are killed by foxes, crows, and jays.

Here, thanks to picture by Horia you can see the adult individual of this species :>
uleko, Argus, ramthakur, horia, cedryk, delic, boreocypriensis has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2577 W: 170 N: 7864] (24859)
  • [2007-03-19 9:55]

Hello Radomir,
Very cute portrait of these two little ones taken from a nice point of view. Sharp details and nice colours in this very fine composition.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 147 N: 7948] (24747)
  • [2007-03-19 10:17]

Hello Radek,
The European Pond is a species of terrapin I have never seen in the wild, though I have seen Mauremys caspica on Lesbos.
This is a fine sharp and well presented capture of young individuals to be released into the Poleski NP: sounds like an interesting place to visit!
Thanks for sharing this one with us,
Best wishes, Ivan

Hello Radomir,
This is a valuable species of turtles which, I am glad to know, is being meticulously protected in your country.
The picture is excellent. The features of these dark coloured turtles are sharply recorded in this image.
TFS.
Ram

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2135 W: 224 N: 3948] (13111)
  • [2007-03-19 16:48]

Hi again my dear friend :)

Another wonderful photo from you and what a cute one it is!
They look adorable!!!
I remember that i found one in the last year - also a baby, and all the girls that were on a trip with us wanted to cuddle it and make photos. They sure are beautiful!

It's nice to hear that breeding programs like that are "at work" and succeed in Poland. Bravo!

Fortunately, in Romania the species is rather common in the wild and we managed to find quite a lot of them during our field trips. Yet, it's a good thing it is protected by law, because otherwise people would probably just take them home...

The photo you have here shown these two funny babies well, with good details and lighting. I also like their pose and that they both seem very active, not affraid of your presence [as was my photo of the adult :(( ]

Cheers and TFS
Horia

Hej,
No jakie male bezbronne i slodkie :-)
No a tak bardziej powaznie to poza tym fioletowawym odcieniem na pancerzu jest OK :-) No moze troche szkoda ze im ogonki obciales...
Serdecznosci,
Michal

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 530 W: 6 N: 340] (936)
  • [2007-03-20 8:45]

Hello Radomir,
A cute pair for sure. Their tails seem to be long, no? Photo is excellent, as usual. You nailed the flash exposure just right. I'm glad to read that the protection efforts are paying off.
Best wishes,
Hakan

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-03-27 20:35]

Hello Radomir

I like turtles so this shot appeals to me.Very well focused with sharp details.Very good use of flash fill,the lighting is well handled.Good detail in the eyes.Good DOF and POV.TFS

Rob

Hello Radomir, Nice capture:). Wel done friend. Greetiings,
Bayram

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