Bufo My True Friend

Bufo is a large genus of about 150 species of true toads, and I for one like true toads. I find them to be unusual starting life in the water and living life on the land - kickback from prehistoric times maybe? What I admire about the toad is how they just go about there business and contribute to the ecosystem. They are both a food source for some animals, such as snakes and prey on others, such as insects or even small mice.

Here is the story of me and Bufo the True Toad. I have come across toads in the past and never really gave them much thought. This year gave way to a meeting with Bufo the true toad. It was in Mid August and the east coast weather was almost unbearable; the temperature was triple digits and the humidity to match. I normally visit the park throughout the year and enjoy nature’s atmosphere and serenity. It gives me time to think and reflect.

This one day I was hiking down a new trail which was actually a fire break and for the most part well maintained and easy to hike. The grey crushed stone and green grass that grows by the side offers a nice contrast and blends well into the forest on either side. The trail winds down a mile or so to a flowing creek and along the way parts of the forest opens up to offers a glimpse of the life it contains.

As I was making my way down the trail and would often stop and take a few photos of the wildflowers I found growing along the path. The photo to the left is one of the many I found that day. If you ever been out hiking in the extreme heat and humidity you realize carrying 25 pounds on your back will quickly exhaust you. After 2 hours out in the heat, I was soaking wet with sweet and decided to walk off the trail and go over to an open area and see what photo opportunities arose.

After a few minutes of positioning my camera and looking around the only thing, I found interesting was a rotting log with a bright red decay; I thought that may give way to some art photo I could use for my collection. I almost always carry a tripod with me – call me nuts, but I find it invaluable for Micro photography. Understanding the argument you can just crank up the ISO and shoot handheld. Trust me, the depth of field is very shallow and trying to hold three pounds of camera steady 6 inches from an insect or flower can get frustrating. I have tried it both ways and prefer to carry the tripod. I have been known to un-couple the camera when quickness is necessary and the small creature simply will not wait around for me to position a three-legged beast. In those cases, the hand holding works fine.

After a few minutes and a couple of photos of the rotting log, I heard something over in the underbrush moving around. I looked but did not find or see anything. A moment later I heard it again, only this time was closer. Once again I looked but did not see anything, then for the third time movement caught my eye and as I turned my head further I say Bufo, this wonderful specimen of a True Toad. This guy actually hopped right over to where I was and positioned himself next to my knee as I was kneeling down. I sat there motionless thinking he did not notice me as a “person” but maybe just shade. I slowly move my hands over to my camera and then he hopped. I immediately thought – crap the gig is up and he is outta here. I was wrong, Bufo actually hopped right under the camera tripod and positioned himself almost in front of my lens and flash set up. It was amazing, I said no way this is happening, but it was. I looked down the lens and focused, turned on the flash and snapped off three photos, after the second shot Bufo the true toad tuned and gave me his profile and I once again took his photo.

Believe it or not, while the toad sat there I poured a small amount of water across the toad’s head and down his back to help cool him down. After a minute the toad turned and then hopped off back in the direction from which he came. In hindsight and looking at the photos, I realize I never saw him until he moved due to his extreme camouflage, it matched the leaf clutter perfectly.

Weeks later, I was hiking down this same trail and I once again saw bufo very close to the same area peeking out from his burrow, or at least I think it is his burrow. I have actually seen Bufo the true toad on three separate occasions but on my last visit this past week, there was no sign of him. I don’t know when True Toads hibernate or when they determine it is time, but maybe I will see him once again before November. He seems like a happy toad and I hope to see him next year in the spring.