Red-eyed tree frog.

Gallery: WildlifePosted November 22, 2009265 views11 comments

Hi everybody! It's been a while since I posted and commented here. I was very busy working and we have been on a trip to Costa Rica. What a great country that is! We have seen so many beautiful animals, birds, flowers etc. One of the most special animals to photograph for me were these frogs. I don't know if there is one animal more colorful than this.
We stayed in the Mawamba lodge in Tortuguerro NP. They take special care (Eric the Frogman!) of these frogs, collect the eggs, let them develop from tadpoles to tiny frogs and release them. We were allowed to set some of them free in the garden. And of course made some photos as you can see HERE.

D300, Sigma105, F8, 1/6s, ISO250, Tripod

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by David Schwaegler on November 22, 2009 at 9:32 AM

Fascinating and wonderful, Ellen; and your pictures are excellent. The exposure and sharpness look perfect.

Registered on December 4, 2003, 232 Posts, 1652 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on November 22, 2009 at 11:18 AM

I really like the nice soft colors in this. When I was in Corcovado last year it was a real struggle getting a decent photo of one of these, and I admit I'm not enough of a master with the flash to create nice subtle lighting. Heading back in February, so I'll have this shot on my mind when I look for them again.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on November 22, 2009 at 2:14 PM

Hi Ellen, good to see you posting again!

Costa Rica must be a piece of paradise for nature photographers! I hope you will share some more of your images here in the coming few weeks. This is just wonderful, the coloration, the cuteness of the subject, the cleanliness and the perfect exposure. Very artistic looking image. I like how he (or she?) is sitting on the edge with is 'fingers'curled around the edge as if its ready to jump anytime.
Thanks for sharing.

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on November 22, 2009 at 2:24 PM

This image is perfect: colors, pose, subject, etc except I would clone or crop that white splotch in the upper left hand corner. Would love to see one of these one day.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Ellen deBoer on November 22, 2009 at 2:37 PM

Thanks for your nice comments!
Max, I hope you find them again and are able to make a good photo. I did not use flash making this photo, that is absolutely very bad for the eyes of these frogs. This photo is made in the early morning and the frog was woken up and replaced by "Eric the Frogman".
Vincent, this is a female, they are much larger and more colorful than the males.

Registered on March 16, 2006, 419 Posts, 2076 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on November 22, 2009 at 7:50 PM

Great colors and detail in the frog. Like the black background as well.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on November 22, 2009 at 9:50 PM

I really like the color saturation and I am glad to lean this is all natural light! Nice work!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on November 22, 2009 at 11:03 PM

Color, light, exposure, comp....all an A+! Great work Ellen.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on November 23, 2009 at 11:13 PM

What an incredible subject! I see you were down to 1/6s,( that's enough time for me to eat a ham sandwich). I see a little bit of softness as a result, but still Very nice! I find the small light area in the ulc a bit distracting, super easy fix. I really like your presentation, the blue frame, orange text and drop shadow augment the photos appeal imho.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Jorne de Bruin on November 24, 2009 at 11:23 AM

Fantastic image Ellen, especially love the colours and the composition. Always had a thing for these frogs and I sure I hope I can one day visit Costa Rica myself. This image is certrainly inspiring!

Registered on June 26, 2008, 178 Posts, 2136 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on November 25, 2009 at 7:20 AM

Very catching Ellen. Great shot! Small nits: I'd try to get rid of the bright area in the ulc, and some more dof would have rendered the foreground leg in focus as well.

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments