Toad Hunt!

[Russell]

Sunday evening was turning out to be a MUST go out and road hunt kind of night. It had rained off and on during the day and so I thought what a perfect night for road hunting for the local stuff. I've never seen a snake out at night while road hunting but I suppose it's possible. I just like to see how the amphibian population is doing. And this spring was pretty cold and dry so as expected, I didn't see as many as I've seen in other years. Last year you could crest a hill, and as far as your headlights went you could see the road covered in little hopping toads. It was funny how they'd all turn towards the light and take a few hops toward the car.

Anyhow, went out last night and took some pictures of some of the toads I came across. I did find a single wood frog but I didn't snap a picture. Looking back I kick myself cause I never did see another frog of any sort last night. Tonight might find me going North of town to see if I can find anything different.

So after tucking my little one in for bed and guess my wife too for that matter...LOL! I gathered up my camera, flashlight, and collecting cage just in case, and out I went. As I'm out there I think to myself how odd it looks to others out driving on the road to see a car stopped, with all lights on yet, and seeing camera flash on the road near the car... I'm sure these people are thinking...what the?!?!?! LOL! But I had a good couple hours of fun. Sadly I found my favorite paved hunting grounds under road construction so they were in no shape for cruising. I did try though, and it was hard to pick out the toads from the rocks!

These are mostly great plains toads. They are what we have the great majority of in this area. There are a few spadefoot toad pictures as well. We do get a spattering of Canadian toads in the local area but they are real uncommon in comparison to the Great Plains. So maybe if I go North tonight I might have better luck.