Eastern newts go through a “red eft” phase when they are juveniles and traveling on land from one body of water to another. They are an example of aposematism, which essentially means their bright coloration is an adaptation that serves as a warning to would-be predators that they are carrying dangerous toxins. I photographed this guy years ago in New Jersey using a close up filter screwed to the front of my lens, creating a razor thin depth of field. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm with Canon 500D close up filter) ISO 800, f/2.8 at 1/50th of a second.
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Eastern newts go through a “red eft” phase when they are juveniles and traveling on land from one body of water to another. They are an example of aposematism, which essentially means their bright coloration is an adaptation that serves as a warning to would-be predators that they are carrying dangerous toxins. I photographed this guy years ago in New Jersey using a close up filter screwed to the front of my lens, creating a razor thin depth of field. Nikon D300 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm with Canon 500D close up filter) ISO 800, f/2.8 at 1/50th of a second.
Fantastic shot, Sean!
With what’s going on in the Middle East these days aposematism is becoming a problem here in America. Damn shame.