I was sitting in the rocking chair listening to evening fall around me when I heard a strange sound. (Yes, you really can "hear" evening on the Bayou just like you can hear daybreak. The two sound totally different.) Like I said, I heard an unusual sound. Something was calling just to my right. There was a small deck there with a few potted plants, a bench and a few knickknacks. Not a one of those could be making that high-pitched "waaaaa!" There was just enough light left in the day for me to go on a critter search! It only took a few moments before I realized that the sound was coming from a large pan that held rainwater. I had put a some of the flowers in the pan to allow them to soak up the life-giving water and, obviously, this tiny critter with the big mouth had decided it was home. While the Toad Pond is on the other side of the house,swimming around in the pan was an Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad! The little guy had his own personal-sized pond and we all know what that call was. Yep, this little guy was letting his ladylove know that he found a suitable puddle for their nursery. He just needed her to realize that he was the right frog for the job of daddyhood.
One weird thing about these frogs is that while they have an ear-piercing call, they make that sound while almost completely submerged. Only their little snouts will be above water. Now a good thing about my little toad frog (heehee That finally fits!) Ants and termites are the preferred diet of the Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad! This little froggy has suddenly become a favorite of mine. He can eat all of the ants and termites he can find. Carry on with your...ummm...business, Little Toad Frog. Find that wifey! We need lots of little toad froggies! Lots of them!
No comments:
Post a Comment