You ugly toad...

[Manta]

Went out looking for frogs tonight but only found these brutes all over the place. I think our local ponds are too polluted to support much else so I used the opportunity to practice my flash skills. I hadn't used the SB800 'in the wild' before. This was taken with the kit lens at 18mm, f13, 1/200, ISO 500, flash at i-TTL.

Comments and advice appreciated.

[petermmc]

Great Shot Simon. You have captured an attitude in a Toad that I havent seen before. With that kind of attitude and surly look no wonder they are bent on world domination. They're not in Wollongong yet.

Lighting and exposure are perfect.

Peter Mc

[Alpha_7]

Like Peter said the attitude and character of the Toad really make this shot special. Well lit and nice DOF, any Wind in the Willows fans here ? I can definitely see they guy swanning around in a suit

[leek]

Great shot Simon...

You must have been up close and personal to get that at 18mm...

Ugly is the right word...

[Killakoala]

It's a great shot. The toad definately has character.

Can anyone ID this variety. I'd hate to think that the cane toad has made it's way down this far. This one is as ugly as a cane toad.

[leek]

It's a great shot. The toad definately has character.

Can anyone ID this variety. I'd hate to think that the cane toad has made it's way down this far. This one is as ugly as a cane toad.

I'm pretty sure that it is a cane toad - coz they are the only toad in Australia... (according to the Australian Museum website at least)

Don't worry Steve, they haven't made it down this far - Simon is based in Brissy... They're all over the place up there...

[birddog114]

Simon,
Your new friend? and new model? an award for both of you and the model!

Looking for frog? what? are you planning to have:

- Frog legs with butter & garlic on your menu to entertain your guests today? they're delicious and going well with the Quad X. I'm mouth watering.

[Manta]

Thanks all for your comments! I wasn't sure how this one was going to turn out as the LCD version was pretty hard to see at the time but I'm pleased with the result. He definitely has an expression on his disgusting dial.

Bufo marinus is indeed the infamous Cane Toad, introduced here in sunny Queensland in 1935 to control the Grey Backed Cane Beetle and Frenchie Beetle. To say they got out of hand would be an understatement and they've been spreading ever since.

The current rate of spread in NSW is about 3.4km per year. Due to climate and food availability, the rate in Qld is about ten times that.

The 2002 distribution map doesn't quite show it properly but then Cane Toads were found from Kakadu to Port Macquarie. There has also been one found in Balmain. (Source:http://www.austmus.gov.au/factsheets/canetoad.htm)

[Manta]

Simon,
Your new friend? and new model? an award for both of you and the model!

Looking for frog? what? are you planning to have:

- Frog legs with butter & garlic on your menu to entertain your guset today? they're delicious and going well with the Quad X. I'm mouth watering.

Sounds great Birdy! Is that on the menu for your next minimeet??

Truth be known, I wanted to snap some frogs for BlacknStormy to identify for me but, as I suspected, the little buggers are hard to find and even if you can hear them, getting close enough to photograph them in spongy flooded swampland is another story. Toads, on the other hand, don't even bother hiding and are easy to shoot. Very easy...

You must have been up close and personal to get that at 18mm...

I was Leek. I used the Hoya +4 close-up filter for the above shot. The lens was probably only 10-15 cm away from him.

[kinetic]

Great Shot Manta - there's definitely some toad attitude going on there. I hope you killed your subject once you were finished - the only good cane toad is a dead cane toad!

[Manta]

Glad you like it Kinetic.

I'm afraid to report that, as he'd been such a good photographic subject, I allowed him to live. If I ever see him again though....

Just about to post another one from last night - something cute and furry this time.

[bago100]

Gee - that is one seriously good photo there Simon
Well done!
Cheers
Graham

[kipper]

I had some mates from Qld showing photo what they do to cane toads.
Long story short - big hunting Knife + BBQ.

[Manta]

Thanks Graham - I really appreciate your opinion.

Kipper - I think we could fill a few Gb with ideas for disposal of toads... I personally like a pitching wedge.

[leek]

I had some mates from Qld showing photo what they do to cane toads.
Long story short - big hunting Knife + BBQ.

Please tell me that they don't eat them

[Manta]

I had some mates from Qld showing photo what they do to cane toads.
Long story short - big hunting Knife + BBQ.

Please tell me that they don't eat them

Nah - I'm guessing you don't throw the toad on the BBQ, you throw the BBQ ON THE TOAD. Hunting knife used to pin the beastie to the ground so he doesn't bolt while you're lifting.

[blacknstormy]

Fantastic shot Simon And even though it's not a cute and cuddly frog, it is an amphibian, so you accepted my 'quest' I really love this photo - the expression on the toad says it all !!! The angle, lighting and DOF spot on. Poor little bugger was probably waiting for you to do something horrid, and I'm really happy that you didn't.

I know of some people at uni who actually used to lick them to get high - not recommended, and some of them spent some time in hospital as a result (no, I wasn't one of them),..... but if you tickle them under the chin - I really mean tickle like you would a child, they will talk to you in their beautiful deep gravelly voice. yes, I know they are an introduced pest, but you can still appreciate their 'good' points

[Manta]

Thanks for that Narelle - I'm really pleased you liked it.
I intend to pick your brains a lot on this subject and get out more often. Right after I buy a pair of waders...

[mic]

Manta,

If you got down on ya knee's and kissed that ugly muvver, he could have turned out to be Paris Hilton

Get back and find him mate, just don't tell the wifey

Mic.

[Manta]

If you got down on ya knee's and kissed that ugly muvver, he could have turned out to be Paris Hilton

But what would happen to all the leftover brain cells????