06-12-07. Big Ole Fat Toad.

This was actually a last minute effort. I was talking on the phone with Momma at about 9:30. I told her I still needed to take a photo for the day. She said to turn on the porch light and see how many bugs I could get in one picture. The porch light was already on, so I peeked out the front door. This monster was sitting on the front porch feasting on the bugs that were gathering under the porch light. Suddenly, I was giddy with a great photo opportunity. I quickly grabbed my camera and changed to my macro lens.

I took a few quick pictures as fast as I could just in case he was camera shy. He wasn't. He patiently posed for me while I took several different close-ups. I rewarded his modeling skills with a few beetles, moths, and a rolly-polly. I caught a pretty large beetle and set it down right in front of him. I didn't really think the toad would be interested in such a large crunchy bug, but he snatched it up before I could pull my hand away. I giggled like a little boy. Eager to show off my new friend, I ran inside to get Kate. I caught a few more bugs and let her watch him scarf them down. I am still completely surprised at how fast he could grab a bug with his tongue. I tried to catch him in action, but my reflexes are too slow. I'll set that as my ultimate wildlife photo goal- getting a photo of a toad catching a bug with his tongue.

Anyway, I thought this was a pretty good last minute effort. I'll have to keep an eye out for him in the future. I'm pretty sure he lives in a little hole right next to the porch.

06-12-07. Big Ole Fat Toad.

This was actually a last minute effort. I was talking on the phone with Momma at about 9:30. I told her I still needed to take a photo for the day. She said to turn on the porch light and see how many bugs I could get in one picture. The porch light was already on, so I peeked out the front door. This monster was sitting on the front porch feasting on the bugs that were gathering under the porch light. Suddenly, I was giddy with a great photo opportunity. I quickly grabbed my camera and changed to my macro lens.

I took a few quick pictures as fast as I could just in case he was camera shy. He wasn't. He patiently posed for me while I took several different close-ups. I rewarded his modeling skills with a few beetles, moths, and a rolly-polly. I caught a pretty large beetle and set it down right in front of him. I didn't really think the toad would be interested in such a large crunchy bug, but he snatched it up before I could pull my hand away. I giggled like a little boy. Eager to show off my new friend, I ran inside to get Kate. I caught a few more bugs and let her watch him scarf them down. I am still completely surprised at how fast he could grab a bug with his tongue. I tried to catch him in action, but my reflexes are too slow. I'll set that as my ultimate wildlife photo goal- getting a photo of a toad catching a bug with his tongue.

Anyway, I thought this was a pretty good last minute effort. I'll have to keep an eye out for him in the future. I'm pretty sure he lives in a little hole right next to the porch.