Going almost gone!

Gallery: Man & FaunaPosted February 10, 2015435 views4 comments

This is the Kihansi spray toad. Found at the Kihansi waterfall in Tanzania. Declared extinct in the wild in 2009, following habitat loss caused by dam construction. More than 2000 captive bred toads from US zoos have been returned to their reduced natural habitat. This photo was taken at the Miller Park Zoo, which is holding a few surplus toads. I have not found info on the current status of the released toads.

My intent with this photo, was to give the impression of the toad vanishing, by having only the eyes sharp. Not sure it worked. These toads will fit on a dime, were very active.

Canon T3i
1/200 @ f-2.8 ISO 400
Canon EF-100mm 2.8 USM
flash, tripod,

Comments

4 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 10, 2015 at 5:02 PM

Real interesting image - and I think you accomplished exactly what you had intended - it almost looks like it is backing away into oblivion - but holding on with one hand.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Alberto Patiño on February 10, 2015 at 5:55 PM

I think it does work! The intent stare and the "sad" expression on its mouth speak volumes. An important document, John - thank you!

Registered on December 2, 2014, 278 Posts, 1736 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on February 21, 2015 at 4:21 PM

Very impactful image John, you conveyed the message well. Congrats on the WP!

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on February 23, 2015 at 12:01 AM

John ....you have made a beautiful image of a very small being. Unless you told, one would not realize the size of the frog. I have worked with similar sized frogs ( endangered) in my part of the world. These amphibians are critical to the ecosystem. Am glad that you are able to highlight a lost species through a beautiful image.

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments