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Eastern Water Dragon


Eastern Water Dragon
Photo Information
Copyright: Richard Cridland (rcrick) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 713 W: 36 N: 1554] (5001)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-08-12
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon EF100-400 F4.5-5.6L IS USM, Scandisk Ultra II 8g, Hoya 77mm Pro1 DMC UV LPF
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Reptiles - Monitors, monsters, & dragons 1, Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-08-15 2:05
Viewed: 575
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
It’s been a while since I’ve paid a visit to the Botanic Gardens at Mount Coo-tha, but we decided to have a lazy morning walking around the park last Wednesday.

There is a new section which has been opened with quite a large lake, the water level was surprising low but considering we haven’t had a lot of rain in recent weeks I guess it was expected.

The bird life was absent but I did come across this eastern water dragon basking in the sun on a log near the shore.

The eastern water dragon grows to around 80-90cm in length, much of which is tail. The colour consists of shades of grey or brown with a series of black bands on the back and tail and a black stripe on the side of the head behind the eye.

The underside is creamy-white, although males may have a vivid red on some or most of the belly and chest. There are enlarged scales forming a crest down the middle of the head, back and tail. The legs are relatively long and powerful and the strong tail is flattened on the sides to assist with swimming.

Male water dragons will sometimes fight each other for territories. Such battles can become quite severe with the two combatants standing on their hind legs in an attempt to push the other over on to its back.

It is a good tree climber and likes to laze on branches overhanging the water. If disturbed it will drop into the water and swim to the bottom to wait for the danger to pass, staying under for up to 30 minutes if necessary.

The diet mainly comprises small reptiles, worms, frogs, insects, vegetation, fruit, small mammals and molluscs.

The males defend a territory and a harem of females, carrying out an impressive series of head bobs and arm waves to discourage other intruding males. The females lay around a dozen eggs in an excavated hole in sandy soil above the floodline. These will hatch in approximately three months. The young are miniature replicas of the adults and are able to fend for themselves as soon as they hatch.

This will be my last post for a while as my wife and I are heading overseas for a bit of a break, we will be back in early October so no doubt I have a lot of catching up to do, many thanks for all your support and comments, see you all soon.

Details; Shot Raw and converted to Jpeg, cropped and resized, resharpened slightly for posting.

File Name IMG_0018.CR2
Camera Model Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Shooting Date/Time 12/08/2009 11:35:44 AM
Shooting Mode Shutter-Priority AE
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/400
Av( Aperture Value ) 9.0
Metering Mode Partial Metering
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 800
Lens EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Focal Length 400.0 mm
Image Size 785x800
Image Quality RAW/Jpeg
Flash Off
White Balance Mode Custom
White balance compensation A1 G1
AF Mode AI Servo AF
Picture Style User Defined 1(Neutral)
Sharpness 4
Contrast 1
Saturation 2
Color tone 0
Color Space sRGB
Long exposure noise reduction 2:Enable
High ISO speed noise reduction 1:Enable
Highlight tone priority 0:Disable
File Size 194 KB
Drive Mode High-speed continuous shooting
parasbhalla, ramthakur, bahadir, nazirbadar, Miss_Piggy, Evelynn, goldyrs, jpdenk, jlinaresp, Noisette, uleko has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Good Morning, Richard!

Very impressive macro shot of the Eastern Water Dragon! The sharpness and POV is just wonderful showing great details of the facial part. The textures and the eye part are very well shown. I like the natural colors of this species. The blurry BG gives great contrast to the colors of the water dragon.
Very well seen!

thanks and regards,
Paras Bhalla

Super portrait, Neighbour!
The sharpness and details on this lizard are incredible. Great job, Richard.
TFS and regards.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3816 W: 190 N: 11348] (34987)
  • [2009-08-15 3:08]

Hello Rick,
You must have been close to this Eastern Water Dragon to be able to take such a fine sharp shot of its head and the lighting is superb, to show up every little spine. The eye contact is also great.
Nice one!
Thanks and enjoy the rest of your weekend,
Ivan

Hi Rick

Great light on this one, emphasising each spine perfectly. Good composition and sharpness.

Chris

Great shot of a lizard. The pose is just adorable.
TFS and regards,
Bahadır

Hello Richard,
Extremely sharp close up with excellent composition and contrast.I am highly impressed by this picture.
Regards
Nazir

Hallo Richard
The details you have captured on this Water Dragon is marvellous. The texture of the skin is stunning, and the light aid to bring out the detail to its best. I really like the different colours of the skin as well as the different shapes and sizes of the scales. The little horns on the back is eye-catching and fascinating to look at. The eye has its own pleasurable attraction. The image is presented in a most favourable manner and pleasing composition. Thanks for sharing this stunning portrait. Best regards.
Anna

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2388 W: 94 N: 5521] (17576)
  • [2009-08-15 7:26]

Hello Richard,
Great close photo in incredible sharpness and details. Very good DOF, composition and natural colours.
Regards,
Peter

I don't suppose it is possible to get a sharper image than this Richard. You must be pleased. The light rock is a bit distracting but the soft focus angled reeds in the background are really lovely behind the subject. I love the toning colors throughout.

TFS
Evelynn : )

Rick,
I knew not that thou wast into reptiles!
Hey, this is an awesome shot, bro!
Love it (the shot, I mean)!
Allz good about it, though I really can't stand reptiles!!!
Cheers!
Goldy

Hi Rick,

It's certainly well-named, as it looks very dragon-like, and it's posing nicely, what more could you ask for? ;-)

Excellent detail in this shot, I can almost feel its skin texture. Good job handling the contrasty light.

Thanks,
John

Ho RIchard!

Super macro shot mode! its a capture highly professional, light and precise angle. The details that conveys the set are exceptions. Very good and thank you note appended by the full EXIF!

TFS!

Jesús

Hello Richard
wonderful portrait of this Eastern Water Dragon in a great pose, great sharp detailed shot, i like the light on his skin, great POV and DOF
Have a good night
Jacqueline

amazinggly sharp closeup, TFS Ori

  • Great 
  • Alutka Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 132 W: 42 N: 377] (1590)
  • [2009-08-18 11:14]

Witaj,
I see all the scales and the smallest plate...excellent photo!
Great POV and composition, nice colors and good notes.
TFS and regards
Alina

Hello Richard,

Amazing details in this excellent macro capture!
Seems like the little fellow is cooperative and giving a great pose hehehe...
Fine light and great quality in all details, natural colour palette!

Greetings,
Pablo -

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2992 W: 162 N: 950] (2789)
  • [2009-11-06 3:47]

Hello Rick,
A terrific close view of the Water Dragon that I also managed to capture once in Lane Park, Sydney. It was huge!! Excellent sharp details here and beautiful colours against a fine background.
Many thanks and cheers, Ulla

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