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One For Bayram


One For Bayram
Photo Information
Copyright: Loot Eksteen (loot) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5524 W: 722 N: 4163] (11276)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-05-01
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Canon EOS 350D, Sigma 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 HZ DG Macro, Digital ISO 100, UV 62mm Kenko
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/200 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Reptiles - Iguanas 1, A study in Herpetology (reptiles) 1, Dedications at TrekNature Part Three, Lime Greens, Bayram's Favorites-1, Dedications to Bayram, My Dedications ;o), Anna's Favourites 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-10-04 22:32
Viewed: 8041
Favorites: 5 [view]
Points: 56
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Green iguana - Iguana iguana

This dedication is intended as a "THANK YOU" and parting "gift" to our friend Prof. Bayram Göçmen (boreocypriensis). During his stay, Bayram made an extremely valuable contribution to this site of which many was first time or unique postings on TrekNature. For this reason many of his postings ended up in my themes for "RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN". His participation on this site was by far one of the most valuable and especially in the field of Herpetology his contribution was immeasurable and unparalleled. It was a sad day indeed to learn of his departure from this site.

Bayram, I'm convinced that many other members will agree with me; we do not want to see your departure from this site since we have valued and cherished your friendship, inputs and involvement. However, we will respect your decision and all I can say is "Good luck and the best for the future my friend". It was good to have you around, but fortunately it is not the end of you as we will still be able to see your educational and interesting work on TrekLens. With the big eye of this iguana I am saying: "We'll be watching you".

This lizard was captured some time back at the Reptile City, at Mposa, ±20Km north of Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. Reptile City offers visitors a close-up look at cunning crocodiles, slithering snakes, birds, lizards and other intriguing reptiles. It has become a firm favourite with schools around the country. This is the ultimate outdoor classroom with a wide spectrum of natural study material available to the school groups.

Taxonomic Classification
KINGDOM: Animalia (animals)
PHYLUM: Chordata (vertebrates, tunicates, & lancelets)
CLASS: Reptilia (crocodilia, lizards, snakes, and turtles)
ORDER: Squamata (scaled reptiles – lizards and snakes)
SUBORDER : Iguania (iguanas, chameleons, and New World "lizards")
FAMILY: Iguanidae (green iguanas, spinytail iguanas, Madagascar iguanas, land iguanas, marine iguanas, Antillean iguanas and Neotropical ground lizards)

Taxonomy and etymology
The species was first officially described by Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus in 1758. In the two centuries since then, no less than 17 species and subspecies have been identified with all but one species (Iguana delicatissima) being found to be invalid.

Using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA-sequence data scientists from Utah Valley State College studied animals collected from 17 different countries. The study revealed that the species originated in South America and no unique mitochondrial DNA haplotypes for subspecific status exist.

Description
They appear bluish in color with bold black markings, but their colour may range from green to lavender, black, red, orange and even pink. They possess a row of spines along their backs and along their tails which helps to protect them from predators. Their whip-like tails can be used to deliver painful strikes and like many other lizards, when grabbed by the tail, the iguana can allow it to break, so it can escape and eventually regenerate a new one. In addition, iguanas have well developed dewlaps which help regulate their body temperature. It is also used in courtships and displays.

They have excellent vision, enabling them to detect shapes and motions at long distances, but they have poor vision in low-light conditions. At the same time, they have cells called "double Cone cells" that give them sharp color vision and enable them to see ultraviolet wavelengths.

Iguanas have very sharp teeth that are capable of shredding leaves and even human skin. These teeth are shaped like a leaf, broad and flat, with serrations on the edge. The similarity of these teeth to those of one of the first dinosaurs discovered led to the dinosaur being named Iguanadon, meaning "iguana-tooth", and the incorrect assumption that it had resembled a gigantic iguana. The teeth are situated on the inner sides of the jawbones which is why they are hard to see in smaller specimens

Length: 1.5m (4.9ft) from head to tail, although a few specimens have grown more than 2m (6.6ft)
Weight: upward of 9.1kg

Distribution
The native range extends over a large geographic area, from southern Mexico to central Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia and the Caribbean; specifically Grenada, Curaçao, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Utila. They have been introduced to Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida, Hawaii, and the US Virgin Islands.

Habitat
They are diurnal and arboreal and often found near water.

Behaviour
They are agile climbers and can fall up to 15m (50ft) and land unhurt. During cold, wet weather, they prefer to stay on the ground for greater warmth. When swimming, an iguana remains submerged, letting its four legs hang limply against its side. They propel through the water with powerful tail strokes.

When frightened by a predator, it will attempt to flee, and if near a body of water, dive into it and swim away. If cornered by a threat, it will extend and display the dewlap under its neck, stiffen and puff up its body, hiss, and bob its head at the aggressor. If the threat persists the iguana can lash with its tail, bite and use its claws in defense. The wounded are more inclined to fight than uninjured prey.

Food
They are primarily herbivores, feeding on leaves, flowers, fruit, and growing shoots, upwards of 100 different species of plant. Juvenile iguanas tend to be insectivores and often eat feces from adults in order to acquire the essential microflora to digest their low-quality and hard to process diet.

Reproduction
Males have highly developed femoral pores on the underside of their thighs which secrete a scent. The dorsal spines that run along a green iguana's back are noticeably longer and thicker in males than they are in females, making the animals somewhat sexually dimorphic.

They are oviparous with females laying clutches of 20-71 eggs once per year during a synchronized nesting period. The female gives no parental protection after egg laying, apart from defending the nesting burrow during excavation.

The hatchlings emerge from the nest after 10-15 weeks of incubation. The juveniles stay in familial groups for the first year of their lives.

Conservation status
Because of their popularity in the pet trade and as a food source in Latin America, they are listed on the CITES Appendix II, which means that while they are not an endangered species, "their trade must be controlled so as to not harm the species in the future". Source

Post Processing was done with Adobe Photoshop CS2.
rcrick, ramthakur, matatur, bobcat08, boreocypriensis, PeterZ, Alex99, anel, xTauruSx, uleko, MMM, Pentaxfriend, bahadir, Aaltjie, Miss_Piggy, goldyrs, jpdenk, Rehanna, betsie has marked this note useful
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Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To boreocypriensis: Respected friendloot 1 10-05 22:28
To matatur: Brownish BGloot 1 10-05 22:22
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Critiques [Translate]

Wow!
Beautiful colors , outstanding picture .
Thnaks for sharing this beauty Loot :)

Regards,
leila

Hi Loot,

To steal a line from leila "WOW" how else can one describe this, stunning colours and detail, just amazing :)

Cheers Rick :)

Prof Bayram is fortunate to be inundated by a string of outstanding dedications to him including this one from you, Loot.
This Green Iguana in close-up portrait orientation is extremely beautiful by virtue of its technical excellence.
The colours are truly rich and the details on the reptiles upper body faultless.
It is a pleasure to see your images posted rather infrequently.
Thanks and regards.

hello loot,
this image is so beautiful with all the details, it makes me happy to see a capture like this but at the same time sad to know that bayram is leaving. he has contributed significantly to this site and this one is a fitting dedication to him,
tfs & regards
pankaj

A perfect and highly detailed profile portrait of the Green Iguana Loot, Bayram will love it. I wonder how you produced that pleasant and OOF brownish BG my friend, it looks quite near, judging from the shadow...
Cheers,
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3277 W: 148 N: 6163] (18832)
  • [2008-10-05 2:07]

What a beauty he is Loot. Excellent capture - details, colours, sharpness, etc., etc., all perfect...
I'm impressed
TFS
Janice

Hello Loot,

What a beauty this lizard. Sharp, colorful and ful of fine details. The light is perfect. What a beautiful eyes. Just what Matutar said: A perfect and highly detailed profile portrait of the Green Iguana.

A nice dedication to Dr. Bayram Göçmen.

Cheers and TFS BOB

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2008-10-05 5:45]

Hello Loot,
This is really great! Perfect! What a wonderful portrait. Sharpness and details are splendid. A beautiful vivid eye.
A very good choice to dedicate this photo to Prof. Bayram Göçmen.
Regards,
Peter

Hello Loot,

Superb portrait of this iguana. Excellent sharpness. Very good detail of the skin and excellent reproduction of the texture. The colours are very good.
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4072 W: 133 N: 7096] (23735)
  • [2008-10-05 8:59]

Hi Loot.
So touching note and very impressive close-up. Details of the animal, richness and exactness of the colours are breathtaking. I like framing of the image. It is really very nice as ell as 3D-effect and excellent use of fill flash. Thanks for sharing and best wishes.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2008-10-05 9:16]

Hello Loot, This is brilliant and I am looking for places this is visible in India. I plan to take about 2-3days leave and will try to take some shot. Superb one. ganesh

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2008-10-05 10:22]

hello Loot,
Great picture! Just magnificent by the colours, the sharpness and the well chosen framing. The eye of the Iguana has almost the same brown than the background, the green scales are just artwork.
I just admire
Thanks so much
Anne

Hi My Beloved friend Loot,
It is an honour and privilege to receive such wonderful dedication including your kind statements about me. This dedication is also significant for me because it is coming from an esteemed and well appreciated photographer such as you. You can sure that I loved this beloved site as much as like all other valuable and well respected friends. However, I am sure that this solution is the best for my health and also for peaceful spirit of TN site. As indicated by you, I also watch all valuable shots with my big eyes :)
BTW your capture is 1st class quality as usual. It is nicely composed and focused showing all beautiful ways of a chameleon. The BG and colurs are also wonderful. Great details on scales, nice soft exposure and wonderful DOF as well.
Thanks once more for “all everything” my friend!
I wish you all the best! And also great vacation in Kruger NP
Cheers,

Bayram

Hello Loot, great shot of a chamaleon and great dedication our esteemed supervisor Dr. Bayram Göçmen. TFS.
Kind regards,

Deniz

  •      
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2008-10-05 23:00]

Hello Loot,
What a splendid close-up of this fine Lizard from Reptile City. A very nice dedication for Bayram too! You show excellent sharp details of the skin and the colours are striking and it stands out well from the background.
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

More Loot
This must be one of your most special photos that you dedicated to Bayram (he deserves it!)
I'm looking forward to what you have to show us when you get back from your holiday in the Kruger National Park. - Enjoy!!

Wow,(I join the other Wow's!) great photo! Lighting, sharpness, position, perfect!
When did the 450D you list happen?? Congrats, you and a 450 will make an unbeatable combination! Anyone want to buy a 400? hehehe
Peter

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1739 W: 224 N: 6872] (24909)
  • [2008-10-07 13:55]

Incredible colours and detail!!
This is really eye-catching.
The composition is perfect.
Superb sharpness.
Perfect dedication to our friend Bayram.

Well done, Loot!

Joe

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
  • [2008-10-07 16:43]

Hello Loot,
this is simply brilliant.
Very exciting to see such a great shot of great clarity and superbs sharpness.
Loooking at the beauty of this well detailed animal shot,
the scales, the eyes, the spine and the great green colour.
Brilliant shot.

Regards,
Foozi

  • Great 
  • zeca Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 373 W: 14 N: 539] (2887)
  • [2008-10-07 21:02]

Wow! Its amazing, Loot! Its alive in my pc! Great sharpness! Beautiful colours! Outstanding work!
Regards,
Zeca

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1114 W: 0 N: 2546] (11425)
  • [2008-10-09 9:24]

Hi Loot
Wonderfull portrait.Razor sharp image with fantastic detail and colors.
TFS Michel

Hi Loot,

Beautifull dedication
Excellent shot of this colorfull lizard
Perfect compo with SUPERB sharpness and AMAZING details
POV, DOF and usee of flash are Great

TFS Thijs

Howzit Lood
As always an excellent photo with such a sharp image and brilliant colours.The details on the lizard are impeccable with excellent contrast. Well done and TFS.
erwin.......

Hello Loot,
Superb close up shot of a chameleon and great dedication. Nice that our supervisor came back TN again. TFS.
Warm regards,
Bahadır

Hello my friend
We are building house and everything is/was in boxes. I see that I have not missed out to much as you have only posted one image in this time. What a beauty! a real stunner! Deatails are super sharp and beautifully displayed. Just love those 2 paws with its sharp nails holding on to the branch. It looks as if this guy was posing just for you and your lens. The details of the scales are shown very clear. The charcoal coloured ones on the Iguana's neckline is really awesome. Nearly like pearl drops. A very special dedication, but glad to the Bayram has returned to the site.
Like always much appreciated.
Warmest regards
Aaltjie and Hettie.

Hallo Loot
A splendid display of perfect photography. Details are supersharp and very clear. The detail of the eye is super and just adds extra speciality to this already great image. I find the golden lining alongside the black of the eye the cherry on the cake and that feature alone deserves a huge A+, let alone all the other feathers captured and displayed so nicely. The whole image is greatly presented. Love
Anna

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3089 W: 230 N: 6774] (23770)
  • [2008-10-25 9:47]

How can you resist an eye like that???
Talk about sharp! The details are amazing.
Every scale, every protusion, stands out.
The colors are vivid and attractive in the flash.
The BG hues really complement the iguana's greens.
Great pose too.
TFS. : )
P.S. Thanks for sending that gorgeous lion to wish me a happy birthday!

What a lovely shot, my most respected friend!
Very well dedicated, indeed!And I really wonder how you mastered this art!There's a lot of hard work that shows in this shot!
Thanks so much, Sir!
Goldy

Hello Loot,

A fine portrait of this handsome animal, excellent detail and sharpness, nice color, and an excellent note too.

Thanks,
John

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