Jelly Brain
"Flash Colours" in Action
The primary defense of a Gray Treefrog (and most of our other native frogs) is crypsis. In other words if the nasties can't find you they can't eat you. If a predator gets close and threatening enough that the frog starts to believe it's clever camouflage has failed, it will choose option 2, a rapid exit like we have here.
Some frogs have what are known as 'Flash Colours"- bright markings on parts of the skin that are normally hidden when at rest. Our Gray Treefrogs have yellow bits on their inner thighs and legs. This is supposed to give a predator a confusing burst of colour to help with the frogs escape. The predator is now hopefully looking for something tasty and yellow to eat, but the frog will have tucked back in it's yellow bits when it lands.
I'd like to say I have kung-fu tming, but this shot is a happy accident. He was looking cute and pretty immobile when I clicked the shutter, but I have to say I liked the result of an unsuccessful predators eye view that shows of both the flash colours and the sinewy leg muscles that drive the escape.
Lighting Info:
-Sunpak 433d camera left and in front in small softbox.
-Bare Sunpak 433d camera right and behind as rim light, though not really visible here as he's not at the intended angle:)
-Bare SB28 aimed at green backdrop.
-Triggered with rf-602's
"Flash Colours" in Action
The primary defense of a Gray Treefrog (and most of our other native frogs) is crypsis. In other words if the nasties can't find you they can't eat you. If a predator gets close and threatening enough that the frog starts to believe it's clever camouflage has failed, it will choose option 2, a rapid exit like we have here.
Some frogs have what are known as 'Flash Colours"- bright markings on parts of the skin that are normally hidden when at rest. Our Gray Treefrogs have yellow bits on their inner thighs and legs. This is supposed to give a predator a confusing burst of colour to help with the frogs escape. The predator is now hopefully looking for something tasty and yellow to eat, but the frog will have tucked back in it's yellow bits when it lands.
I'd like to say I have kung-fu tming, but this shot is a happy accident. He was looking cute and pretty immobile when I clicked the shutter, but I have to say I liked the result of an unsuccessful predators eye view that shows of both the flash colours and the sinewy leg muscles that drive the escape.
Lighting Info:
-Sunpak 433d camera left and in front in small softbox.
-Bare Sunpak 433d camera right and behind as rim light, though not really visible here as he's not at the intended angle:)
-Bare SB28 aimed at green backdrop.
-Triggered with rf-602's