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Jaime Culebras's Image
Jaime was looking for frogs when he suddenly spotted a cat-eyed snake, a species with a particular liking for amphibians. Upon grasping its victim in its jaws, the snake released low-level toxic venom to subdue it. The brutal reality of the situation is captured in the eyes of the trapped hourglass tree frog.
Hourglass tree frogs move freely between land and water and can lay their eggs in both environments. Despite this ability they are ideal prey for cat-eyed snakes that can swim and slither to reach the upper branches of vegetation. This leaves few safe options for the tree frogs.
Behind the lens
Jaime Culebras
Spain
Jaime has a bachelor’s in biology, an MSc in environmental education and an MSc in biodiversity and conservation of tropical areas. He’s been living in Ecuador for more than nine years, where he works as a reptile and amphibian researcher and nature photographer. Jaime has won numerous photography and conservation awards.
Image details
- Canon EOS 6D
- 100mm f2.8 lens
- 1/100 sec at f16 • ISO 200 • Yongnuo flash + trigger • softbox
- Veragua Rainforest, Limón, Costa Rica
Copyright in WPY competition photographs remains the property of the respective photographers. You may not copy, share, reproduce or republish the photographs except as expressly permitted by copyright law. For media image usage enquiries, please contact us.
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