Sunday, October 16, 2011

Toadies

For some time now, I've been aware that there are toads living outside my window. I think I became aware when I came home one day to find one sitting on my windowsill, staring blankly into my room. In contrast to that one-time outpouring of curiosity, the toads are usually very silent and very well-hidden. In fact, I rarely see them, despite looking out my window for them every day. Today when I opened my blinds, it appears that one was in the middle of a game of hide-and-go-seek:


I decided to look around a little more closely and I discovered that the toad population was in fact much higher than I had originally imagined. This one is the smallest toad. He had perched himself on a rock, undoubtably looking for the hiding toad.




His cousin is a little bigger and was hiding under a leaf: 



And of course, the grandaddy. This one's eyes quickly scared me out of the open window and back into my room. He looks like he's about two croaks away from warping into a small dragon and flying around my window-well belching fire and brimstone. I'm going to have a difficult time mustering much sleep at night knowing that he's about 10 inches away from my head. He didn't give the least effort in attempting to hide.


6 comments:

Mom said...

How cute:) I'm pretty impressed with the first toad's hiding place! Can't help but look for them on a daily basis, huh David? I can identify with Grandaddy Toad! He's giving you that look, like I perfected with all you kids! Works for him, too!

Steve Barnhart said...

I love the photos, David. And your description of Grandaddy is spot on - I can feel his glare from here.

How are they preparing for winter?

Mike said...

I think Grandaddy is planning on taking David's room.

Lisa said...

I think the Grandaddy ate all the other toads and now he's surly because he doesn't have anyone to bully

Janell said...

MAN is that toad grumpy!! I'm not even sure he is a toad actually - he looks a bit like a gila monster to me. And yes they are real, despite the fact that someone told you when you were 7 that there are absolutely no monsters and then the next day on PBS they did a special about gila monsters and you were home alone and couldn't confirm or deny their existence with any adult or older sibling who may have told you the day before no such thing existed.

Mike said...

Sounds like you need to talk to a counselor about this Janell. Scars from childhood are very serious business.