Partners in a Strange World
Photographer: Matt Bruce
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1/100 • f/8 • ISO 320 • Canon EOS R5 • 24mm • Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM
Here, a pine woods treefrog is perched at the entrance of the "pitcher" of the yellow pitcher plant (Sarracenia flava). These treefrogs have actually developed something of a mutualistic relationship with pitcher plants. The plants have evolved chemical and visual lures on the underside of the "hood" to attract flies and other small arthropods. After landing under the hood a fly will often fall down into the watery pool deep inside the pitcher and become trapped. It will then get digested very slowly over the course of weeks or months. However, if a treefrog that's sitting just inside the pitcher catches that fly, digests it, and poops it out, those nutrients are readily available to the plant. The plant provides shelter and a steady source of prey for the frog, and the frog does the digestive heavy lifting for the plant. Both species benefit.
Capture note: For this shot I dialed in an exposure for the sky and illuminated the foreground with an off-camera flash and 8x12" diffuser.
