Still no toads to be found in our pond or pools--but down the road, things are hopping!
American Toads, in their nighttime frenzy to find a mate--
boldly clasping anything (or anyone) who is near.
Come along in Red Canoe as she explores the quiet backwater of Ohio's State Parks and the scenic streams and rivers of the Midwest. Discover the beauty hidden beyond the water's edge, quietly waiting, past access points, often only inches deep!
Come browse my photography site, Nature Remains: nothing but a photograph, for full-page slide shows of my favorite images and opportunities to purchase them.
In Spring of 2008, I began the study of 2 vernal pools on my property as part of the Ohio Vernal Pool Partnership monitoring program.
My 2008 journal includes the first photos and findings, as I studied this fascinating wetland area just a few steps beyond my backdoor...
2009 photos and findings,
2010,... again!
Now, 4 years later, another season is just days away!
Travel beyond the Midwest has taken me to some beautiful places. Usually off the beaten track, these places are WILD!
Acadia National Park
New River Nature Festival
Olympic National Park
Pictured Rocks and the UP
Voyageurs National Park
(click on the text above each photo for a quick get-away)
A regularly appearing feature, "Have you seen..." takes a closer, more patient look at things usually not seen in a flattering light.
Take a look!
Each spring, as winter lessens its grip and days warm with the first fragrant breezes of a new season, we collect sap from our Sugar Maples and produce just enough syrup for ourselves for the coming year.
The progress of this year's backyard endeavor is illustrated here.
Summer 2008, the tiny jewel of the avian world, a Ruby-throated Hummingbird, nested just feet from my front door. Pictures of her nest and the changing lives within are collected in this journal.
From life the size of a pea....
Cats that come to stay
(click on the text above each photo for stories in these collections)
16 comments:
Do they just jump on your hands readily? How neat! I always enjoy your writings and photos. I love how you see the details in everything.Thanks for sharing.
Hey! Is that legal in Ohio??
These are great photos!
Nina, you beat me to it! I have pounds of toad spawn, too :o) Not in the last few days. It's downright cold!
We'll compare toads at night in the next day or two :o) (Outside with a flashlight, huh?)
Hly cow, great shots! I am never that lucky with frogs. Getting their pictures, I mean. I swear am really not trying to "get lucky" with frogs, LOL.
Really great pictures! I love frogs and toads. Don't know what the attraction is, but I've always loved them. A few years ago we had dozens of tiny ones around the house. Haven't seen any for a long time.
cool pictures
Nina,
Great toad photos! I haven't found any this year yet up on my mountain!
Carolyn H.
I've been seeing long stings of toadspawn for a week or two now... hopefully it will be a great year for our frogs and toads. And a great years for yours as well.
Tom
Toads are such great animals --they have such subtile dignity and character.They are not as defenseless as they look for that large ,raised wart-like paratid gland near the eye and ear,shown so well in the last photo,is nothing to mess with. I doubt that many (any ??) preadators find toads delicious.
Well, just how cool is that?
Great post.
Always enjoy your site.
Have a great week and come visit,
Troy and Martha
Great post!
The pictures are amazing, is like watching Animal Planet ;)
Your writing of toad sex in Ohio the same day I'm writing about seal sex in Hawaii -- wanna trade places???? please?
What action. I still haven't heard any here.
Amazing photos of these toads! I just love hearing them vocalizing at night!
Yep--that's my exciting life...outside, hanging around the pool with a flashlight!
And, yes, they actually crawl eagerly toward ANY object placed near them--even what would appear to be a predator's outstretched fingers (or a green frog, or another male--) and hang on for dear life!
I wonder if, as you mention, Bobbie, the lack of breeding pools might be a difference in the numbers you see? So many people drain these areas and so much development has erased them, that if you need water to breed, you're out of luck!
And their warty appearance, with bad-tasting, burning secretions does little to protect them from us.
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