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"Mini Jabba the Hut" -- Waxy Monkey Tree Frog @ the St. Louis Zoo

"Mini Jabba the Hut"

Waxy Monkey Tree Frog

(Phyllomedusa sauvagii)

 

My 4th Explore Photo -- thank you for the faves, comments, and views! = )

Peak Position #471 on June 27, 2009

 

Wikipedia article

www.monkeyfrog.com/waxymonkeypage.html

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (not threatened)

 

When I saw this Waxy Monkey Tree Frog, I could feel the smile forming on my face. = ) He looked so funny and silly, like a miniature Jabba the Hut, but he also had this peaceful expression of happiness and contentment. He must be optimistic that a princess like Snow White will kiss him and turn him back into a prince. He remained motionless the whole time I watched him, maintaining his pose while I photographed him. Seeing this little guy was one of the highlights of my visit to the St. Louis Zoo (free admission--and it's an amazing zoo!). If you see him at the St. Louis Zoo, tell him that Rick says hello. ; )

 

Camera: Nikon D90

Lens: Nikon Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED

F-stop: f/5.6

Exposure time: 1/60 sec.

ISO speed: ISO-450

Focal length: 105mm

35mm eq. focal length: 157mm

Photoediting: Cropped (extreme--more than 93%), darkened and blurred background (Gaussian), adjusted levels and sharpened, cleaned up with cloning/blurring in Photoshop Elements 5

Handling and lighting: handheld with VR on, photographed through glass with lens as close to the glass as possible, no flash

Other comments: I had two lenses with me, the 18-105mm VR and the 70-300mm VR. I tried to use the longer lens, but due to the minimum focusing distance, it couldn't be used effectively. If I had stepped back farther, then I would have had a hard time with the reflections on the glass. For this reason, I used the 18-105mm VR, and followed up with a massive crop (more than 93% of original image removed) to create the close-up.

16,981 views
59 faves
30 comments
Uploaded on February 5, 2009
Taken on February 2, 2009