Thursday 4 August 2022

Garden Visitor of the Toad Kind

 


This magnificent toad gave us quite a surprise yesterday when we squeezed round the side of our house, looking for butterflies on the Buddleia. 

I suspect he or she possibly had an even greater surprise when we appeared, but s/he simply stayed still and looked up at us through those mysterious copper eyes. 

The photo below was taken by David as soon as he realised there was a toad by the step. This shot from above shows off the pale speckled skin on the legs, which I suppose adds to the creature's camouflage. 

I gather toads like to eat ants; only two days before, we had noticed a lot of large winged ants springing up from an anthill in our long grass. Toads also like beetles; I don't know if 4cm-long stag beetles would see these amphibians biting off more than they can chew!

 


5 comments:

Conehead54 said...

Wonderful surprise for you. Such lovely creatures.

Ragged Robin said...

Lovely to see the toad. We had several years ago but have only seen one in recent years by the pond.

Crafty Green Poet said...

What a magnificent toad!

Belinda Robinson said...

What a stunner!

L. D. said...

I like all the patterns on its legs.