There is a nice little ecosystem in our backyard. My wife and I have been working diligently over the last few years trying to accommodate and attract the local wildlife.
We have lizards, finches, woodpeckers, cardinals, blue jays, an owl, crows, possums, groundhogs, and a plethora of insects.
[pullquote]We have lizards, finches, woodpeckers, cardinals, blue jays, an owl, crows, possums, groundhogs, and a plethora of insects. [/pullquote]A couple of years ago I noticed an american toad (Anaxyrus americanus) hopping on one of our pathways. I took a couple of photos and decided to not disturb the little critter and let him go on his merry way. Every few months, I would be rewarded with a glimpse of this wonderful little dude. I was truly fascinated, because we don’t have a body of water in our back yard, although it does flood a bit when we have a good storm. A pattern seemed to form that the frog (assuming it’s the same one; they can live up to 5 to 10 years) would show up after a good rain. I was thrilled about this as I knew when it would rain, I would get to see and hang out with my new friend.
While working on a bat house recently, our dog, Norman, seemed preoccupied with something under the studio. Intrigued, I looked under the studio to find our dear old friend, the american toad, hanging out. Norman would sniff the toad and the toad would hop back and forth, but not away. Fear that Norman’s predator instinct was about to kick in and I didn’t want to see an animal shredded before my very eyes. I scooped the toad up and was taken aback when the sunlight bathed him. His eyes were piercing with the most glorious gold color. In awe, I quickly took a couple of photos and released him back in the yard at safe place.
[pullquote]They really seem to be friends.[/pullquote]A little later in the day, I noticed Norman was again pre-occupied with something under the studio. I assumed “James Bond” as I call the toad now (Goldeneye? Get it?) was being pestered again. Looking under the studio with Norman, the toad was right back there, unharmed, just sitting there. Norman would sniff him and stare at him, but with curiosity and seemingly without ill-intent.
They really seem to be friends.
featured art:
“Golden Eye”
oil and gold leaf on wood
6×6 inches
