Here is a young American toad (impossible to identify the sex) who can thank me for keeping him alive...
For the new reglementations about pesticids and herbicids in Quebec are applied, we can see more biodiversity within our residential area (Sherbrooke, Quebec) for my great pleasure!
This American Toad (the first I saw for years at home), just survived after I stopped my lawnmower at few inches of him. Running inside I brang my camera to take this shot laying down in the grass in front of my neighbors ;)
Thanks for commenting it :)
Michel
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
EXIF: Panasonic FZ-20; ISO100; 1/250s; f3.7; hand held without flash
American Toads hibernate on land and burrow beneath the frost line in the soil. Both tadpoles and toads have poison glands in the skin which reduce their susceptibility to predators. A dog which picks up a toad will drop it and foam at the mouth but will not be hurt. They eat insects and small soil creatures such as worms and slugs.
I like the sharpness and DOF on the toad and the outstretched foot and upright posture makes for an interesting pose. I'm not as fond of the cut grass lawn habitat, but that does fit well with your story. Well done.
Hi Michel,
Nice looking little toad you got there and I'm glad to hear you saw him before the lawnmower did. He looks as if his short little life has just flashed before his eyes. Nicely lit, detailed and colored.
Steve
Cute picture, Michel, he looks like he was just getting ready to put up his hands in the "stop" signal - when, thankfuilly, you did stop!! Glad you saw him in time! Nice dof, and your cut grass looks tons better than mine does - very few brown ends!! Nice to know that pesticide regulations are allowing a larger variety of creatures to survive in your area!