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Minute (as in little) Pacific Tree Frogs
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Jun 17, 2012 02:26:33   #
Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA
 
The Pacific Tree Frog (Pseudacris regilla) has a range from the West Coast of the United States (from Southern California, Northern California, Oregon, and Washington) to British Columbia, in Canada. They live from sea level to more than 10,000 feet in many types of habitats, reproducing in aquatic settings. They are the only frogs that go "ribbit". They come in shades of greens or browns and can change colors over periods of hours and weeks.

One of the most interesting features of these frogs is their ability to change color from brown to green. Previously, it was thought that there were two different fixed colors that an adult tree frog could be. Now it has been found that some of them are able to change between the two. They can also change from lighter to darker, shift from patterned markings to pure colors and vice versa, and even display combinations of colors, brown/green being the most frequent.

These color changing morphs are triggered not by color change in their environment, but a change in background brightness. This type of environmental change would be caused by seasonal fluctuation. A full change in the dorsal coloration of a color morph can take anywhere from weeks to months, but initial changes can occur in just a few hours. This has been shown to be a very useful cryptic survival feature for these frogs.

Skin color is produced via pigment cells called chromatophores. There are commonly three types of chromatophores found in amphibians: 1. Xanthophores - These contain yellow, orange, or red pigments and are found uppermost on the dermis; 2. Iridophores - These lie below the xanthophores and function by reflecting and scattering white light up through them; in the case of Pseudacris regilla and many other North American frogs, iridophores reflect blue light through the yellow pigment cells above to create a green frog; 3. Melanophores - These are the deepest pigment cells and are responsible for the presence of black and brown pigments.

Photographed at the vernal pools at Madrona Marsh, Torrance CA: http://www.friendsofmadronamarsh.com

Hand-held D5000 at ISO 400, 1/200-sec at f/22, partial shade & Nikon SB-600 speedlight with O-Flash 3/4-circle Fresnel prism attachment. Most approximately 1:1 magnification (life-size); a few at 1:2 mag (1/2 life-size). These frogs are the size of a fingernail.

















Close-up photo to show scale & environment.
Close-up photo to show scale & environment....

Itty-bitty frog!
Itty-bitty frog!...

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Jun 17, 2012 07:48:43   #
gym Loc: Athens, Georgia
 
Really nice series.

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Jun 17, 2012 13:19:22   #
Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA
 
I have added two photos to show scale & environment.

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Jun 17, 2012 13:25:37   #
jdeanb Loc: Texas / central
 
Very nice. And how interesting how nature works. The more we learn the more we realize we don't know.

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Jun 17, 2012 15:00:39   #
jerm
 
Excellent work!

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Jun 17, 2012 18:18:37   #
Erv Loc: Medina Ohio
 
Thanks Doug! Great post!!
Erv

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Jun 17, 2012 18:21:03   #
saycheese Loc: By the Big Lake in West Michigan
 
Wow!! I'm gobsmacked!!!

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Jun 18, 2012 07:54:22   #
Lynnette Loc: Kingsthorpe, Queensland
 
as always excellent

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Jun 18, 2012 10:21:55   #
SoHillGuy Loc: Washington
 
I like photo 9 which shows their relative size to the leaf.

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Jun 18, 2012 11:05:50   #
Country's Mama Loc: Michigan
 
Thank you for the nature lesson and a chance to see these little guys close up.

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Jun 18, 2012 12:25:57   #
chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon
 
Great shots. We have these animals on our property in LaPine, Oregon. I should try setting up for these animals next time I am there. thank you for that information about these animals.

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Jun 18, 2012 20:23:08   #
Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga
 
Nice shots Douglass I like the 4th one best (piggyback one)....These are the West Coast cousins of ther frog in my avatar....Just like ours, they are pretty small. They look to be fairly docile as well which helps to be able to photograph them

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Jun 18, 2012 22:34:23   #
EarthArts Loc: Schenectady,NY
 
Beautiful images, Nikonian72. And thank you for the interesting background info too.

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Jun 18, 2012 23:48:57   #
krgatlgm Loc: Las Vegas, Nv
 
You never cease to amaze me with your photographs and your depth of knowledge. Thank you for sharing both.

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Jun 19, 2012 03:40:34   #
Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA
 
krgatlgm wrote:
You never cease to amaze me with your photographs and your depth of knowledge. Thank you for sharing both.
Aww, shucks! :oops:

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