I have seen ABC Wednesday posts on other peoples blogs but being slightly obsessive I wanted to wait and start at A! And this week it has come around again.
So I thought I would continue with the theme of my previous post and have A for AMAZING AMPHIBIANS. After all, my previous post showed the stars who will be featuring in our upcoming exhibit but there are a couple of others who are feeling a little left out.
This delightful Gray Tree Frog Hyla versicolor is a recent acquisition. An ex member of staff phoned me up because she found him sheltering in one of her plant pots and wanted him to go somewhere were he would be well cared for. How could I say no to such a charming character? Now he sits in his tank gobbling up crickets and in the mornings he puffs up and chatters away at the top of his voice.
This charismatic American Toad Bufo americanus has grown up here at the Museum. My co-worker Jamie rescued it from her window well where it was in grave danger from her wayward Dachshunds! We do a regular toad feeding program each week and people love to see her gobbling up waxworms or crickets.
This is the 'Naomi Cambell' of Cane Toads from my previous post who still hasn't quite forgiven me for making him pose for the photo session. Much happier now sitting and pooping in his water bowl! How charming!
Whatever your opinions of amphibians they are great indicators of the health of our surroundings. They have semi-permeable skin and so are very susceptible to any pollutants and toxins that we put into the water, spray on the land or inadvertently release into the air. If you live in an area where you see frogs and toads on a regular basis, think yourself lucky. If it is healthy for them then it is healthy for you too. If, like many of us, you rarely see amphibians, that is cause for concern. Approximately one third of all amphibian species are in rapid decline. In fact there is such concern about this issue that 2008 was declared the year of the frog, to try and raise awareness of their plight. If you would like to find out more, check out this great website.
In the mean time enjoy some other posts relating to the letter A at ABC Wednesday.
Photo Credits - CJT
21 comments:
I wouldn't say beautiful exactly, but the photos were nice though, lol. =o)
Well..I love them and I think they are beautiful. I was heartbroken when my female ACF died leaving her mate to sing alone. The two of them were a lot of fun..lots of eggs..but I enjoyed them. Now I have had Froggy since my daughter left for grad school 9 years ago....Michelle
Well, we're allways learning. I didn't know that relation between amphibians and health of the environment and now that 2008 has ended I came to know that it was declared the year of the frog!!!
:-) I loved your choice for this letter and wish to thank you for all the information.
Have a nice week.
I've not heard of the ABC Wednesday...I'll be looking forward to your Wednesday posts! Wonderful photos on this post and the one before!
Good info. Thanks for sharing. I'm learning a lot from this meme.
That's a very nice set of photos! And I enjoy the infos and the connection to the models.
My "A" photos are posted here and here. Please hop on by if you have time. Happy Wednesday!
Nice photos... also enjoyed reading the info...going to check out that great website...
The cane-toad in the bowl looks a harmless fellow. But here, in New South Wales, we are expecting to be invaded by them in a decade or so! NOT a pleasant thought!
Our frogs have all dug in because of the lack of water. In spring the nightly concert was deafening, now there is only deathly silence. All our dams are bone dry and cracked. In a tiny stretch of our creek is an even tinier spring making little pools in a short stretch of creek bed. They are all crammed full of turtles which frequented our 5 dams before. I hope they survive. If I manage to slip in a frog post, could you please help me identify them?
Thanks for the interesting post! We live in a country with a lot of frogs in our canals. In winter we can sometimes skate on the canals in summer the ducks and the frogs and an occasional heron have fair play.
Really interesting info and sort of cute images too.
How cute is that first one! That's a great choice for A.
Welcome to ABC Wednesday! I am glad you started : ). A is a good place to begin! These amphibian photos are very nice.
Love toads. I grew up catching them in my yard. I wonder if the woods in CT are still healthy enough to support them? Out here in Sycamore Canyon we get the Colorado River Toad during the monsoon. I don't know if we have any other amphibians around but we certaily have plenty of reptiles!
I love Naomi Campbell. What a good looking toad. By the way, we hav frogs croaking where I live in Orange County, California, so I guess my air is healthy. Love your blog, and how you link amphibians to "reality TV" or shall we say, everyday life.
love your amazing A post!
Great post! I've never been particularly fond of these little guys but... There's one (or more) at the camping spot that insists on hanging out with the campers.
Fotosekken - Well you know what they say - beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
Ramblingwoods - There is something very neat about having a pet frog or toad. Glad you still enjoy Froggy.
Dulce - Glad you found the post interesting. Yes amphibians are indeed a vital and often over-looked part of our ecosystem.
Gttyup - Thanks, I just hope I can come up with suitable ideas for very letter!
Beautiful - It is amazing how much we can learn from each others blogs isn't it? I love it :)
Shutterhappyjenn - Thanks, glad you liked the post.
Carol - Thanks for dropping by, I hope you enjoy the frog website.
Rinkly Rimes - Yes I had heard a lot about the problems they have been causing in Australia. We never seem to learn from our mistakes when it comes to introducing exotic species for pest management!
Arija - I hope your frogs and turtles survive too, some species can go for several years like that but it does sound as though your drought will be a tough one for them to get through. I will try to help you with frog ID's but I am certainly not an expert when it comes to your area.
Reader Wil - How lucky you are, sounds like a great place to live :)
Babooshka - I think they are cute too but I realise they are not something everyone can get into!
spacedlaw - Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed the post.
Life with Kaishon - Thankyou! I am looking forward to working my way through the alphabet - hopefully I can get all the letters!
Kathiesbirds - If you have reptiles then you may well have amphibians as they are a food source to many reptiles! Such is the circle of life. :)
GutsyWriter - I know some people are not so keen on frogs and toads so I find it helps if you can relate their behavior to certain characters! Helps people to relate :)
Lily Hydrangea - Thanks! Glad you liked it.
Tumblewords - You just have to think of them as a very efficient form of bug control :)
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