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Trying to hide


Trying to hide
Photo Information
Copyright: Ulla Kruys (uleko) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2342 W: 164 N: 7019] (22222)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-06-19
Categories: Amphibians
Camera: Canon PowerShot G7
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/640 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-08-18 3:41
Viewed: 391
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Common Toad - Bufo bufo

Earlier in the summer I bumped into this fellow trying to hide himself in the grass. I'm afraid I'm not a very good frog/toad photographer - they always jump just as I press the shutter! But this one stayed put!

"The Common Toad or European Toad is widespread throughout Europe, with the exception of Ireland and some Mediterranean islands. Its easterly range extends to Irkutsk in Siberia and its southerly range includes parts of northwestern Africa in the northern mountains of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.
Adults can grow to 18 cm (7 in) and their skin has a warty appearance and ranges from green to brown. As a defense against predators they secrete a toxic, foul tasting substance called bufagin. This is enough to deter many predators although Grass Snakes and hedgehogs are immune. Although the adults spend most of their time on land the females enter ponds and other still waters to lay their eggs, toadspawn, which can be distinguished from the spawn of the common frog as it forms strings rather than a large mass of eggs. Eggs are laid in the spring, with the females attempting to return to the water in which they were born. The young tadpoles resemble other tadpoles in their appearance except that toadpoles have a larger, rounder blacker head and shorter tail.
Common Toads eat invertebrates such as insects, larvae, spiders, slugs and worms, which they catch on their sticky tongues. Larger toads may also take slow worms, small grass snakes and harvest mice, which are swallowed alive. Toads generally hunt at night, and are most active in wet weather.
In Germany, Great Britain and Poland many toads are killed on the roads while migrating to their breeding grounds, in some places special tunnels have been constructed so they can cross under roads and local wildlife groups run toad patrols carrying them across busy crossing points in buckets.
Toads have a long association with European witchcraft, as familiars and ingredients in potions."
From Wikipedia
nglen, jmirah, Jamesp, rcrick, Matt-Bird, nainnain, haraprasan, angybone, vanderschelden, Finland_in_Eton, zulfu has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1875 W: 2 N: 5064] (19360)
  • [2007-08-18 4:03]

Hi Ulla. Great looking Toad. he looks very big. You have captured good rich colours and fine detail. sharp focusing. the marking on the skin have come out well. this one stayed still for you. well done TFs , good notes too.
Nick..
have a good weekend. raining again in England today.

Hi Ulla,
WOW!! Really nice capture of the toad. The detail and color are amazing. Very well done.

TFS
Jim

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1559 W: 233 N: 5222] (18351)
  • [2007-08-18 5:16]

Hello Ulla,
a nice capture of this large Toad.
A particularly warty specimin.
Well done,
Joe

Hi Ulla,
a nice catch, a little ugly IMO, I don't like frogs very much - but very interesting. I had a tiny little one in my garden some days ago, but no chance to make such a nice shot than you did, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1658 W: 8 N: 4248] (13845)
  • [2007-08-18 8:07]

Hi Ulla,

Beautiful capture of this sleepy looking toad. He seems to be well hidden. The colors are deep and rich. Fine details - we can see every wart. I love that eye.

Jane

hello ulla,
nice pose captured of this frog hiding from you, looks like he doesnt want undue publicity :-), sharp image, the texture of the skin is clearly visible, nice natural colours, tones,
tfs & regards
have a nice weekend,
pankaj

  • Great 
  • ridvan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 582 W: 0 N: 1137] (5130)
  • [2007-08-18 11:26]

selam , excellent shot and very good composition nice pov and bg with splendid colours.good details presented
Well done !
Regards ridvan

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1673 W: 24 N: 4849] (15812)
  • [2007-08-18 13:06]

Hi Ulla,
Just marking this post and will be back with a proper critique later.
Regards.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-08-18 21:24]

Hello Ulla

A lovely Bufo bufo shot.I like the cosy little nest he is in.Wonderful detail in the skin showing the warty texture very well.The colours are well saturated.you have very good detail and colour in the eye as well.I can clearly see the differences between this specimen and our Bufo americanus over here.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1179 W: 0 N: 4496] (13406)
  • [2007-08-18 23:06]

Hi Ulla

Great pose and wonderful colours. The texture of the toad contrasts well with the vivid greens. The glowing eye is the final touch!


James

Hi Ulla,
You have captured alot of details on this toads skin along with the different colour tones of the skin. Good photo,
regards
Matt.

hello ulla
encore une jolie présentation, cet animal est peu exposé sur TN, est cela change, bravo pour toutes ces bons détails et belles couleurs
bien a toi
edith

Hi Ulla,
A beautiful capture of this toad. Very nice details and I think it is not comfortable seeing you. So trying to hide. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Wonderful details on the skin....I can imagine how the skin would feel from this shot.
Great lighting, wonderful colors.
Poor little guy is probably thinking "Can't a toad get a little privacy!" ;D ha ha

Hello Ulla,
The good light gives great colours and sharp fine details!
Image is well composed with this cooperative little fellow...
Afterward he is convinced the camo trick worked out well, as nothing happened to him!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hello Ulla,
A bit hidden...nevertheless you captured this frog.
Well composed...
TFS
Annick

Super photo... great color and exceptional detail. Lovely lighting. Very well done !

TFS, Mish

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 455 W: 0 N: 69] (488)
  • [2008-06-27 10:59]

Hello Ulla splendid capture of this beautiful common toad. TFS. Regards,
Mehmet

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