2021-07-21

Toad in the Rain

    toad
I encountered a toad in the lightly falling rain this evening while replenishing the hummingbird feeders.

These encounters are far and few between so I am careful not to mess with them in any way. I just said hello and continued on my way as he was looking me over trying to decide if I were a predator or not ...

There was a time when I thought the innumerable toads in my deep south yard were cannon fodder and pretty much spent way too much of my youth persecuting them in the name of cruel immature entertainment.

So I remember all of this now and I give them and all other animals by and large the right of way as long as they do not damage my house.

My ultimate hope is to cultivate such an amphibian friendly a yard that they grow to like to come here to reproduce and raise offspring.

I may even begin importing various amphibians and such from the local scientific supply ... I don't know.

All I can say is that I repent for my past abuses of those various animals I formerly took for granted and I wish no harm to any animal anymore.

There are others who say toads are environmental hazards. While I am unqualified to speak to this — all I can say is the few I have encountered over the years continue to have the right of way in my yard until such time as I am convinced they are hazardous.