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LITTLE DRAGON


LITTLE DRAGON
Photo Information
Copyright: Radomir Jaskula (cicindela) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1223 W: 0 N: 3103] (9226)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-03-16
Categories: Amphibians
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5400, 35-105 mm 1:4,5-5,6, @ ISO 50
Exposure: f/7.4
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Amphibians of Europe, Amphibians and reptiles of Poland, Amphibians - Salamanders & Newts 1, Amphibians (Amphibia) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-03-21 5:09
Viewed: 5566
Points: 34
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is my first photo in this season :>

Picture was taken on the bank of small pond in Rogozno village, about 10 km SW from Lowicz, Central Poland. This area is protected by European programme Natura 2000, and its name is Pradolina Warszawsko-Berlinska (=Warsaw-Berlin Glacial Spillway).

And now a few facts about the object...

The “hero” from a picture and its Polish cousins...

This is a Smooth Newt (=Common Newt) (Lissotriton vulgaris) Salamandridae , one of 5 species from this genus known from Europe. Not so long ago it was classified in Tritulus and even now you can sometimes find it under this genus name.
This is one of only 2 species from this genus known from Poland, and one of 17 amphibian species recerded from this country.

The Smooth Newt is well known as species living in summer period on the land (usually in forest areas where it spent a night in wet places under the decaying wood, ect.) while in the spring time it is looking for water reservoirs to mate. Thanks to this amphiboius behaviour the latin name of this group – Amphibia, is given.

A very short evolutionary history of “Lissotriton vulgaris”

The present amphibians, including our “hero” from the picture have rather long history. The first species from this group (similar in shape and behaviour to present ones) appeared in the early Carboniferous period, some 350 milion years ago. At the beginning they lived mainly in water habitats, where till now almost all amphibians have to mate and copulate, and where their larvae live. Untill the Triassic period the evolution of Amphibia was not very fast. But in this period many new groups appeared. The "first cousins" of our Lissotriton vulgaris where really huge animals, eg. Mastodonsaurus had about 2 meters! Just to compare, adult specimen from the photo has only about 9 cm :>
Soon, some of them started to conquer the land, where many species occur at present. During the evolutionary process some species adapted to live on the trees, other can be found in desert habitats or in caves, and some even in saltish areas.
Today scientists know more than 6 000 species, sometimes very small - like the smallest frog living in Cuba Eleutherodactylus iberia from family Leptodactylidae (only 7-8mm!!!), and sometimes similar in size to the biggest Triassic amphibians known for the science – like giant Japanese salamanders from genus Cryptobranchus (up to 1.6 m and more that 30 kg!!!).

The amphibians never ruled the world like dinosaurs did, but I hope that you will agree with me, especially when you look at this photo – it was only an unlucky fortune... ;>
cedryk, Matt-Bird, clnaef, marhowie, Jamesp, horia, SkyF, Adanac, ramthakur, methos, Alex99, Robbrown, meyerd, vanderschelden has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Alex99: dragons are still alive :)cicindela 1 03-26 12:21
To Maite: amphibians :)cicindela 1 03-22 11:35
To SkyF: dragons :)cicindela 1 03-21 15:01
To horia: dragon=smokcicindela 1 03-21 14:59
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Critiques [Translate]

Witaj,
No i fotka wyszla niczego sobie :-) Kolory sa moze troszke blade i cos dziwnego intensywnie zielonego widac u nasady ogona za traszka ale za to fajne POV. No i oczywiscie bardzo ciekawa notka.
Serdecznosci,
Michal

Hi Radomir,
I really like the micro enviroment this image creates. The setting is just wonderful for this photo. Great composition, dof and sharpness.
Its a cool photo,
Regards
Matt.

Bonjour,
Magnifique point de vue. Bon rythme.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

Hi Radomir,
Beautiful image of this little dragon in his little jungle. Great pov, sharpness, and exposure. Vivid colors and nice off background.
JC

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
  • [2007-03-21 14:43]

Hi Radomir

This is another great shot. It looks like big game emerging from the bush at this angle. The mosses are excellent too.

TFS
James

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2007-03-21 14:43]
  • [+]

Hi Radek

A very nce and cute "first capture of the year" :)
I've also seen about 50 or so last week (while studying their feeding) and will probably see some more next Sunday ;)

I really like the nice composition you managed to create here - including some vegetation, too and blurring out the BG ncely.
The details of the newt are clear and sharp and one can see his a L. vulgaris from a mile thanks to those nice nad visible big spots from his abdomen.
The eyes are also very crispy and you got very good focus there.
Lovely colors and good exposure as well.
What i also appreciated here was teh very nice and extensive note...even for somebody who studies them is a nice read...i'm sure that everyone else who read it was intreagued by the facts you presented there.
Great work!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2234 W: 188 N: 1912] (8073)
  • [2007-03-21 14:44]
  • [+]

Hello Radomir,
cute how this little newt peaks through the moss. It seems a little surprised, I guess looking at a lense would do that ;-.
Very well captured, the details and colors are great.
Sky

Hi Radomir, wonderful portrait of little dragon with splendid colors, great details, excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 2232 W: 10 N: 2971] (16891)
  • [2007-03-21 18:15]

Hola Radomir,
bello retrato, buenos detalles
y original pov.
saludos

Good image, Radomir.
For example the point of view is well done...
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188] (21378)
  • [2007-03-22 16:27]

Hello Radomir,
Superb macro of this wonderful newt in his natural surroundings, great camera work.
Rick

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 998 W: 65 N: 1270] (5199)
  • [2007-03-23 7:29]
  • [+]

What an excellent capture you did here!!
I like a lot the look of the mosses and the amphibian popping upon them. You got excellent sharpness, colors, DOF and composition, and added an excellent note too.
Congratulations and thank you very much for sharing.
Greetings
Maite

Hello Radomir,
You have captured this newt in an impressive posture. The vegetation in the foreground provides an excellent setting for the shot.
Its eye is so dark it looks like a hole.
Very good image.
Ram

  • Great 
  • methos Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 213 W: 51 N: 281] (1189)
  • [2007-03-24 19:27]

Hi Radomir,
Great portrait. I love the DOF and the pose.
TFS!

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2007-03-26 12:10]
  • [+]

Hi Radomir.
Very impressive POV and excellent shot. I like perfect reproduction of the animal and amazing foreground. Its details, sharpness, colours and at whole beautifulness are fantastic. Superb done and TFS.
Alexei.

Hi Radomir, I agree we seem to have ended up with very simular images of related newts.I like the low angle of veiw, certainly helps with the dinosaur look.
Thanks for sharring yours Robert

Dear Radomir,
for unexplained reasons I missed out on this one, a truly wonderful portrait of a fellow vertebrate! The great DOF works great for the picture, the particular light also. And your background is natural of course. My compliments on this one with much delay.
Greetings to you,
Dietrich

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