Western Toad
Aug.15, 2010 in
Nature
Baby Western toad on the shore of Anderson Lake
This week’s Leader had a story about a couple of million baby Western (or Boreal) toads that had come out of Anderson Lake and were hopping around the shore. Of course, I had to go out and take some photos. Right now they are around 1 in (2.5 cm) in length. Apparently they will grow to be 2 1/2 – 4 inches (5.6 – 13 cm) long. That’s pretty big, especially if many of them survive.
The things were all over the ground for about 50 feet out from the lake. In places the ground looked like it was moving. Then there were piles of thousands of toads that writhed, which was both fascinating and a bit unsettling.
Pile of wiggling toads
See Murietta 365 for more straight out of the camera photos.
August 15th, 2010 at 5:23 am
Wow..that is lots of toads for sure! They camouflage very well in the shade too..
August 15th, 2010 at 6:57 am
I agree- the camouflage is excellent. Nice shots.
August 15th, 2010 at 10:05 am
Boy they really do blend in well with the landscape. Great shots
August 15th, 2010 at 11:21 am
WOW, so many of them in that second shot!
August 15th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Oh my I thought they are stones ^_^
Sweet Cantaloupe
August 15th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Terrific shots! Really helps to illustrate the Leader story. We’re seeing a number of beautiful green tree frogs around our place…another oddity after having been here for a few years and never seen them before.
August 15th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Very cool. I’d love to see that for myself and, of course, I’d take my camera. :)
August 15th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
What would it look like if they all survived and settle there?
August 15th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Great captures of the toad. They’re really little, you must have gotten really close.
August 15th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
I adore this picture and am glad the toads are well ! I keep hearing about how frogs and toads are becoming endangered. glad to know there’s hope.
August 15th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
I shudder at the thought of all the toads growing up and covering everything.
August 16th, 2010 at 8:44 am
Ok I thought the first one was pretty cool, then I saw the pile of them! how neat!!
August 16th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
They are SO many! Great find and shots too.