Common Toad in the snow.

Oh, he should hide ...

Hi Erhard,

I think if I was this toad, I would go and hide too!!! Come out when it is warmer!

Best Wishes
Peter

he goes with snow-shoes ???

Hi Anna

Thank you! I guess if his feet were good for water, then good on snow too!

Best Wishes
Peter

Hi Peter.
I'm no expert but perhaps I can shed some light on this!
They emerge in February or early March on their mating quest, come hell or high water! I used to watch them cross a main road outside my house in Pinner, Middlesex every year at this time and it was a heart-stopping moment and not without a few squidgy mishaps. They followed a route that started at a pond in farm grounds and went though my garden (about one every 10-15 minutes or so) and headed towards a very small stream about 1/4 mile away to mate. I asked a local historian who said that they had followed the same route every year and it had first been recorded in the mid 19th century.

Hi Andy,

Thank you so much for your visit, and words of wisdom. Males chasing females has caused many a poor decision in the past, and I am sure it is no different in the toad world!

Best Wishes
Peter

Thanks Andy for the info! Well, I suppose an early bird gets the chance to be the first to mate.

Wow what a history , i think hell just met its match Love...

Hi Steve,

Thank you for your visit here.. Maybe he is on a promise from a lady toad!

Best Wishes
Peter

En période de redoux, elles sortent sur la neige. Elles sont étourdies par le froid. Pas de soucis, elles ne sont pas mortes!

Hi Thérèse

Thank you for the visit, and the information. Being cold blooded, I am sure he must be feeling it!

Best Wishes
Peter

Superb close-up Peter.

Hi Jaap

Thank you so much, I am very pleased that you like it!
Best Wishes
Peter

Hi Peter,

What a fantastic picture! I am sure this could win a competition! Maybe you should send it in for the next Countryfile Calendar?! We have already had one winner from ipernity :)

Best wishes, Rosa.

Hi Rosa

Thank you for the visit, and your extremely kind words. I have made a not in the diary to try your suggestion in summer, when it opens.

Best Wishes
Peter

I shall watch out for it Peter :-))

Hi Rosa, Peter ...
Please excuse my ignorance but what is Countryfile Calendar? I thought at first that it might have been an ipernity group but I then realised from your comment that it has nothing to do with ipernity!
I hope you both have a good weekend. Cats and Dogs with flooding today in Madrid.

Hi Andy,

There is a long running farming and countryside matters programme on BBC1 every Sunday called Countryfile and every year they have a competition to fin photos for their calendar. A few years ago Bill Robinson from Pano and now on here, won the top prize for his picture of bluebells and it made the front cover. I think this unusual picture of Peter's would stand a very good chance of being chosen.
Not quite cats and dogs here but it is raining! I hope Peter does not mind me answering you on his page.

Best wishes, Rosa.

AWWWW I adore this picture, Peter ! Not sure he had a look at his calendar !!!
However, when I am in the Alps and when the ice is not fully melt there are plenty of frogs who live in the icy water and come to the edge to bathe in the sun !!

Hi Marie-claire

Thank you for the visit, and the information. I am sure he would be happier if it was warmer!

Best Wishes
Peter

Peter! I love this! What a great job with this composition!!!. I agree, this COULD win a competition, Love how the photo shows those snow flakes/ice around the frog's neck and chest, making a fantastic "frame for the Frog" YS... wish you a good week ahead. Sarah

Hi Sarah

Thank you so much for the visit, and the very kind words.
Following Rosa's suggestion above, I will give it a try.
Today, the snow has all gone, so I hope he has completed his journey. It must have been horrible with ice crystals falling outside you mouth!

Best Wishes
Peter

Good work ;-)
I wish you a great new week.....

Hi June

Thank you for the visit, I am so happy that you enjoyed it.

Best Wishes
Peter

Poor toad! Great shot.