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CROAK-CROAK


CROAK-CROAK
Photo Information
Copyright: Michal Grabowski (cedryk) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 967 W: 50 N: 1722] (5270)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-03-25
Categories: Amphibians
Camera: Canon 350D, Sigma 70-300 F4-5.6 DG Macro, @ ISO 800
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/420 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
Map: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Frogs calling, Amphibians of Europe, Amphibians and reptiles of Poland, Frog mating - Rana temporaria [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-03-28 6:01
Viewed: 4135
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
And the final part of my frog mating series is:

A singing male of Common Frog (Rana temporaria)...

Well, I must admit that "singing" is way too big word to describe the sound made. In fact it's rather croaking and not that loud even. Nothing to compare with green frogs, tree frogs or even green toads.

The resonators are internal here (contrary to green frogs which have external resonators) and placed under the throat skin. To call the female, male has to blow them. Here you can precisely see how it is made.

A very important thing is also the throat colour.
As I wrote in my previous post from this series, it turns light-blue during mating season and contrasts well with the rest of the body. So when the male blows it to make a sound, it gives also quite striking visual signal. Then imagine how it looks when you have some dozens of males in one place...

The females direct to a pond by memory from previous seasons but also by male signals.
When they're in.... well... you know the rest!

Taking photos of croaking frogs requires some patience. First, when I approached, they all got a bit shy and hidden for some time. So I set up my tripod, sit down and waited. After some minutes they got used to me and if I wasn't moving rapidly, they didn't react to my presence. However to keep them feeling safe I had to be at least some 3 to 10 meters away. Thus I had to use the longest possible zoom (300mm = 480mm effective focal length) and as a result - short exposure time and high ISO.

Here you can learn a bit more about this species and its habits:

Common Frog in "Amphibians & Reptiles of Europe"

Common Frog in AMPHIBIAWEB

Common Frog in Wikipedia

Common Frog in "Reptiles and Amphibians of the UK (RAUK)"
Robespierre, fartash, uleko, cicindela, horia, delic has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Michal,
This is a very interesting posting from you. Good that you show us the differences in the frogs attitude and pose.
Good detailed photo, the golden-lined eyes are very good contrasting to the dark background. Informative note also. Good job, Michal!
Regards, Ruud

Hello Michal,
This is very interesting to see these two stade about frog's "conversation" :) I like this low POV, details, exposure and texture of the water. I missed time to read the notes but I think that this is a very interesting and well done picture :) Thanks!
Claudine

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1127 W: 254 N: 3161] (14464)
  • [2007-03-28 8:54]

Hi Michal,

a nice compo with the 2 succesive shots of this frog,well captured with good colors and details,well done and TFS

Paul

Hello Michal
Very nice presentation of this frog,
Excellent colors and sharpness,
Informative note.

Regards
Fartash

Good shots of this frog. I like the water 'smoothness' in the picture. A simple composition makes the best pictures.

Steph

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1772 W: 36 N: 5597] (18598)
  • [2007-03-28 9:41]

Hi Michal,
Wonderful shots. Very neat and sharp. I like the calm shallow waters and its textures. Great POV. Very nicely composed and framed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2007-03-28 12:30]

Hello Cedryk,
Excellent illustration of this frog at mating time. Superb sharp details and beautiful colours. I like the colour of the water and the transparency too. Really very nice and interesting!!
Many thanks and best wishes, Ulla

No hej zabolubie! ;>
Jak mam byc szczery to ta prezentacja ze wszystkich trzech zdjec zaby trawnej podoba mi sie najbardziej. Dzieki pokazaniu 2 fotek widac tu pewien "ruch" czy "mobilnosc" ;> Do tego bardzo ladne swiatlo, dobra glebia i swietle kolory. Czego wiecej chciec? Moze interesujacej notki, ale zaraz, ta tez jest...
Pozdrawiam,
Radek

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2007-03-28 15:38]

Hi Michal

...finally a bit more time :)
Another really great photo of this interesting series, and honestly it's my favourite one from all the 4 :)
The fact that you managed to capture one with its rasonators both full and empty is terrific and the presentation you have created is wonderful!
Also the frontal POV gives a really great angle for that blue-ish throat and the details on its snout and eyes are outstaning!
Very nie note, again, good framing and composition.

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Hola Michal,
Me gusta la toma, parece que las tienes amaestradas, preciosa la composición, excelente la luz y el foco. Saludos

  • Great 
  • delic Gold Star Critiquer [C: 440 W: 6 N: 310] (898)
  • [2007-04-10 11:29]

Hello Michal,
I'm having a hard time to keep up with the TN traffic due to workload. So I have to keep going back to catch up with favorites. This one is an excellent capture of the frog before and during croaking. Photographic quality is tops thanks to your great technique.
Best wishes,
Hakan

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