Bufo bufo-for Selen

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Bufo bufo-for Selen
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3337 W: 139 N: 3772] (9906)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05
Categories: Amphibians
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5400
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Bayram's dedications, Selen's Favorites II, Turkish Herpetofauna, Dedications at TrekNature Part Three [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-04-15 0:23
Viewed: 622
Points: 78
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Bufo bufo (Common Toad)[in Turk. Siğilli Kurbağa, local name "Kazan Kurbağası"] (A male and his facial expression -in WS)

Dear Friends, I would like to dedicate this photo to our friend Selen Ediger (SelenE) who liked greatly this beautiful toad when I uploaded its > first capture of a female. [ çiğbörek benzetmeniz hala aklımda Selen hanım :-) ]

This toad is found over most of Europe except Ireland, Corsica, Sardinia, the Balearics, Malta, Crete, Cyprus and some other smaller islands. It is also distributed in NW Africa and W Asia with a vertical distribution changing between the sea level and 3000 m.

It is the the largest toad species in Europe and Turkey. Adults up to 15cm long, but there is geographical variation in size and females are larger than males. It is heavily built with a horizontal pupil, very warty skin and prominent paratoid glands (in the posterior of eyes) that are slightly oblique. Eye is deep gold or copper-coloured. Males do not have external vocal sac. Dorsum usually brownish, but varying from sandy to almost brick-red, rich dark brown, greyish or occasionally olive. Tends to be fairly uniformly coloured, but may have darker blotches and patches. Belly usually is whitish or grey, often with darker marbling.

In Turkey, animals from the near areas to Mediterranean ecozone, i.e., the south of Turkish Thrace and W Anatolia (B. b. spinosus) are often very large and has spinier skins as seen in my capture. The nominate species (B. b. bufo) lives in Central Anatolia. Toads from the NE Anatolia with less contrasting colouring and smaller wart like “verruca” are named B. b. verrucosimus.

The vocalization of the males is similar to dog pup yelping. The male 'release' calls is being most often heard at night. This is a not very powerful, rather high-pitched rough 'qwark-qwark-qwark', about 2-3 syllables a second, or more. The actual mating call is slower and the syllables are longer. It is found in a wide variety of often fairly dry habitats. It is mainly nocturnal, hiding by day, usually in one particular spot, and emerging around dusk. Normally walks, but hops when alarmed. When approached by predators may assume characteristic posture with the head down, and the hindquarters raised. Forages nocturnally, predating on insects, earthworms and some mollusks. During the breeding period they move to small pools or ponds. Males usually arrive first and stop for several weeks while females visit just long enough to find a mate and lay their eggs. Males are very enthusiastic and will sometimes clasp fish or inanimate objects; several of them may attach to the same female forming a ball of up to a dozen animals. Males often fight for females rather than attracting them by calling. Large females lay their eggs in two parallel strings and the average number of eggs in a double string is around 5,000-8,000. Eeach produced string swell to 5-10mm thick and are up to 5m long. They are often laid over several hours among the stems of aquatic vegetation, frequently in sunny situations. The eggs often develop in 2-3 weeks and the tadpoles swim in dense swarms that can be several metres long. Newly metamorphosed toads are very small, just 7-12mm, and are quite diurnal in their initial stages of their development. Reaching sexual maturity may take 3-7 years and their average life time is around 15-20 years.

Bayram

References:
1. Göçmen, B. (Unpub. results). The results of herpetological trips.
2. Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (2005). Herpetology. Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 194, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 226 pp [2nd Edition, 2008].
3. Baran, I. & Atatür, M. K. (1998). Turkish Herpetofauna (Amphibians & Reptiles). Ministry of Environment, Ankara. 214 pp.
4. Arnold, N.E. (1978). A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe.Collins, London, UK, 288 pp.

Dear Friends, As you known I am in Cyprus now! I have limited opportinity to upload new photos based on my trips in Turkey and Cyprus. Therefore I upload this one since I prepared this for our heartfelt frien Selen. However I will try to upload a new capture from here as soon as possible for you
loot, bahadir, vanderschelden, xTauruSx, zulfu, haraprasan, Jamesp, marhowie, goldyrs, spalaxtr, CeltickRanger, Argus, uleko, SelenE, nkasot, Gert-Paassen, rousettus, degani, jaycee, matatur, nglen, maurydv, NinaM, smitha, gracious, gannu, jpdenk, montivipera, yasemin, cypturk has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To rousettus: Aleyküm selam kardeşboreocypriensis 1 04-15 14:50
To matatur: Eheheboreocypriensis 1 04-15 14:40
To SelenE: Selam Selen Hanımboreocypriensis 1 04-15 07:37
To Argus: Hi my friend Ivanboreocypriensis 1 04-15 07:02
To spalaxtr: :)boreocypriensis 1 04-15 07:00
To vanderschelden: Thanksboreocypriensis 1 04-15 01:58
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Critiques [Translate]

Bayram Hocam Kıbrıs'tayken dahi TN desiniz. Kıçına sinek konmuş bir Bufo karesi harika ve espirili aynı zamanda! Tam da doğal bir görüntü olmuş. Elinize sağlık. Kıbrıs'a ve arkadaşlara selamlar.
Deniz

Hello Bayram,

Very nice picture of this "ugly" :-) toad. Good POV, DOF and sharpness. Good exposure and colours.
Well done,
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 441 W: 0 N: 68] (472)
  • [2008-04-15 1:40]

Mükemmel bir kare hocam. WS deki yüz ifadesi de çok tatlı. Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

Bayram Hocam espirili ve doğal bir çekim elinize sağlık.
Teşekkürler.
Bahadır

Hell Bayram,
Very warty skin:-) and still 'beautiful'...
Well done
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5633 W: 594 N: 3202] (8699)
  • [2008-04-15 2:00]

Hi Bayram

What a nice fat toad and I bet this is one female that does not worry about being fat. Better keep this one hidden from the French other wise it might become supper before too long.

You have captured the amphibian with excellent details and one can clearly see all the spines. Even a bonus two species shot with the visiting fly hitching a ride on the back of the toad. I am anxiously waiting to see all the new work you are collecting in Cypress so I am staying tuned to this channel for more information.

Well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1223 W: 0 N: 4449] (13290)
  • [2008-04-15 2:57]

Hi my friend Bayram

An excellent shot - good detail and exposure. I really like the fly - it gives the shot a 'real' touch!

James

Hi Bayram,
Nicely exposed with great color, DOF, and details..
The little "hitch-hiker" adds well :)
Thanx for the link to the female toad also..
Excellent notes.
Well done,
Howard

Nice to see you post even when you're travelling, Bro..
I love your shot of this toad..
Very well done!
Cheers!
Goldy

hello Bayram

both image are excellent, with each image having his POV
to show or the bodu of this strange creature or the face,
both image shrpness and details are excellent,
on this one what is funny there is that insect on it,
in french we say « mouche noire » to that insect, TFS

Asbed

Bayram merhaba,
Fotoğraf teknik olarak güzel ama yahu bir bayana bu siğilli kurbağa hediye edilir mi, şöyle yaprak kurbağası gibi zarih bir tür hediye etseydin ya. Selamlar
Mustafa

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2416 W: 132 N: 6653] (20877)
  • [2008-04-15 6:59]
  • [+]

Hello Bayram,
Fine capture of Bufo bufo from a good POV and excellent technical qualities. I am sure our friend Selen will appreciate this tribute to her.
Thanks for sharing this fine image!
I look forward to your shots from Cyprus!
All the best my friend,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2297 W: 163 N: 6694] (21146)
  • [2008-04-15 7:17]

Hello Bayram,
Great capture of this big warty Toad with a Fly scratching its back! :-) Great sharpness and fine colours.
I envy you being on Cyprus - we were there exactly a year ago! Have a good time!
TFS and regards, Ulla

:o)) Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Kusura bakmayin bugun cok yogundum daha simdi gordum...
Bu nazik jestiniz icin cok tesekkur ederim.
Bunun uzerine aksama cigborek yemem lazim :o)
Selamlar & sevgiler

Selam Bayram Hocam. Bu tombul erkek Bufo bufo'nun sırtındaki sinekle birlikte oldukça güzel birçekimi. Elinize sağlık.
Nazım

  • Great 
  • bahar Silver Star Critiquer [C: 22 W: 0 N: 5] (38)
  • [2008-04-15 9:13]

Merhabalar hocam
Güzel kare yakalamışsınız. Elinize sağlık.
Saygılarımla
Bahar

Hi Bayram,

These frog are ugly but your photo isn't.
Good of sharpness witn natural colors.

regards Gert

çiğbörek kısmından üzerindeki karasineğe kadar güzel bir çekim olmuş hacı. renkler, netlik, fon hepsi çok güzel. eline sağlık, yavruvatana selam olsun.

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2447 W: 207 N: 2035] (8113)
  • [2008-04-15 10:31]

Hello Bayram,
this one seems to eat quite well ;-).
Great shot, with superb textures and excellent detail.
Nice POV to give us a close up of this toad.
Sky

  • Great 
  • degani Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 184 W: 0 N: 255] (2018)
  • [2008-04-15 12:00]

Hi Bayram,
what a beautiful and interesting animal, you catched a great image of it, as always you notes are perfect, bravo my friend
kind regards
franco

Hi Bayram, ugly creature for our friend Selken:) splendid bufo with fine details and great sharpness, excellent composition, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1675 W: 8 N: 4022] (13255)
  • [2008-04-15 12:35]

Hi Bayram,

Wonderful shot of this toad who has no chance of winning a beauty contest. You show off every wart! Looking forward to your return and seeing the pictures from your trip.

Jane

Hola Bayram, nerelerdesin, Kıbrıs!dayım deyip İzmir'den Bufo yüklüyorsun! Ben bu poposu sinekli oğlanı sanki biryerlerden tanıyorum! Selen hanımın da bundan hoşlanacağı kesin.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1555 W: 233 N: 5091] (17959)
  • [2008-04-15 13:27]

Hello Bayram!
What a great shot of this fat Toad and his friend Fly :-)
The poison glands are clearly shown here.
Excellent detail and sharpness.
Very sharp with lots of detail.
Great lighting too.
Nice dedication to Selen!
I hope you are enjoying your herping!
Till next time Geckoman!

Joe

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1864 W: 2 N: 4738] (18250)
  • [2008-04-15 13:31]

Hi Bayram. What a size this Toad. You have captured great detail in the wrinkled skin. good natural earthy colours. well done TFS.
Nick..

Un bellissimo ritratto di rospo con un tocco in più, ottimi POV e DOF, molto buoni i dettagli e molto belli i colori e la luce. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 544 W: 0 N: 1303] (4365)
  • [2008-04-15 16:36]

Hello Bayram, it's the first time that I stop at your gallery and it is filled with strange animals! I really don't know what to say as this toad, even though quite ugly, is very well photographed, couldn't be better but what a weird toad. There's even a fly on it! The picture is perfect, great dof, great colours and most interesting notes. Thank you!

Francine

  • Great 
  • smitha Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 296 W: 79 N: 899] (3409)
  • [2008-04-15 19:46]

Hello Bayram,
A very peculiar looking Toad captured with god POV & DOF. Excellent sharpness and details. I wonder is this how the Frog Prince have looked like? brave princess!! :D
Thanks for the share,
Smitha.

Merhaba my friend Bayram,
Selam!!
sorry a bit late for coming in to veiw your great posting!
Oh I loved this one with such a good size post to enjoy the closeness of the Toad especially in colour and details of it!
many thanks for the notes too
greeting
Tony

Hi Bayram,
A nice dedication. Very good capture. It is good to know that you are in your home land. The land where Aphrodite originated. Excellent details of this toad along with its passenger the fly. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 729 W: 4 N: 1811] (8608)
  • [2008-04-16 4:59]

Hello Bayaram,
did u notice the fly on the top of the little fella. Very nice shot. Ganesh

Hi Bayram,

That's quite an impressive animal, very interesting posting and a good photo of the toad.

Thanks,
John

Estupendo color y buena profundidad, aunque entiendo la complicación de la toma desde tan cerca. Buen documento Bayram.
Saludos: Josep Ignasi

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1687 W: 20 N: 4738] (15476)
  • [2008-04-16 19:09]

Hi Bayram,
Wonderful shot of this Toad with immaculate sharpness and clear details. I can see a fly too which adds interest. Great illumination and I like the natural setting. Excellent POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 327 W: 0 N: 280] (1619)
  • [2008-04-17 9:19]

Merhaba Bayram bey çok hoş bir kare olmuş ellerinize sağlık.

Merhaba Hocam,
Güzel bir Siğilli Kurbağa karesi daha. Paylaşım için teşekkürler.
Saygılar
Naşit

  • Great 
  • Ena Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 360 W: 60 N: 569] (2319)
  • [2008-04-24 2:47]

Selam Bayram!
Lovely shot as always!
Good details and POV!
TFS
Ena

KOPTUM GULMEKTEN. BU NASIL TOMBALAK SEY BOYLE. COK TATLI GORUNUYOR. DERISI COK GUZEL.:)
LEYLA

Gene bu sisko gurbaga:) shanel gormesin bunu... bayilacak gulmeden... cok guzel dayi eline saglik... cypturk

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