Great shot- That's really cute!
I've had toads startle the heck out of me a few times when they found the soft potting mix of my plants to be nice for digging and hiding. Sadly, I've only seen a few in the last couple years, where we used to have loads of them.

Cool!

What a great pic - and I think he posed for it, didn't he? I occasionally find them in my yard, particularly underneath the ledges of stones that outline some of my beds. Wonder if those toad houses really work?

SUsan

Yes- Toad houses work- as do flat rocks with one end propped up- they will crawl right under those- and leave your plants alone!
We still have alot of toads every summer- even in the closer to downtown suburbs. We are close to a water run off area along the rail road tracks, and we don't use chemicals in the yard- I think that makes a big difference in the city- having a chemical free zone near some type of water-
Another type of shelter that is easy to build for critters- is to cut some 1-3" branches lay a few down a couple of inches apart- then lay some ontop of those going the other way- screw them in place repeat as needed for the height you would like- I think at least four courses though- Stash that structure under a shrub- or in an out of the way place- let plants grow around, over or through it. That structure will provide a home for many types of bug eaters-
and it's too small and damp for rodents or rabbits. I've found it's kind of like that movie slogan- if you build it- they will come. I like having bug eaters around in the garden- and not in/under the roots of that prized new "treasure" plant!
Julie

Toads are cool. Had a pet one one time when the kids were little that ate five HUGE water bugs at a sitting. His name was Pig Toad. He was a lot of fun, but for some reason feeding toads got old, now I just feed my big ole bullfrog Bullet. Great pic Dan! :) Arum

So cool. I love critters, don't you guys? Of course, since I am a butterfly/moth NUT, too, I don't use chemicals in my garden either.

It was so surprising to me when I stopped using them--I ACTUALLY GOT MORE BENEFICIALS, like lady bugs. I had lady bug chrsalids or cocoons, whatever you call them, all OVER my huge Japanese black pine this last summer. And lace wings.

I know the ladies on the butterfly forum freak out when they get the oleander aphids on their milkweed, but I just leave them, and in about 2 or 3 weeks, they are HISTORY! the lacewings and ladybugs have feasted well!

I really love the toads and the garden snakes, though! Am I a weird nanny?

Susan

Every time I happen across a toad or snake I catch it and take it in for the kids to see for awhile before letting it go....very educational I think. When I was a young 'un I used to catch snakes, turtles and any other creature I could find and then feed them for awhile around the house before letting them go...nothing weird about that :o) Dan