My miniature zoo

Having three cats that drag in mice now and again and living in the country with all sorts of creepy crawlies, it is something I have slowly got used to. I am not squeamish and would rather pick up a spider and throw it in the garden than tread on it. Slugs not being wanted amongst my plants, I pick them out and throw them into the field. I would feel like some sort of sadist otherwise. The only things I ever really kill are flies, but to be frank they ask for it. All part of nature's plan I suppose. Anyhow try to tell my cats to eat vegetables and fruit and they would ask if I had a death wish, so we forget that part. They are convinced carnivors. 

Anyhow, just before lunch I was standing at the open window in the kitchen and notice from the corner of my eye a movement, a quick jump. I looked down and there he was. Whilst I was telling Mr. Swiss of my discovery, I moved towards my camera in preparation (we women are multi tasking experts) and here is the result.




My first thought a frog, my second thought frogs are usually green. After a few more photos, closeups and enlargements, the warts on his skin were obvious. So Mr. Toad had entered my kitchen and started hopping around, me following him with the camera and Mr. Swiss searching for something to transport him out of the kitchen. Luckily the cats were having their morning-afternoon sleep, otherwise they might have found a change to their boring diet of vitamin filled pellet cat food, although I don't think so. They are partial to butterflies and flies, but are allergic to slugs and beetles, and I think that frogs and toads would almost fall into the same category. We have had some damp weather lately, it is Autumn - damp misty mornings, and at this time of the year all sorts of strange creations wander inside. Colourful beetles and scaly creatures are not uncommon, and a salamander has also been seen in the cellar in the washing room.

Now Mr. Toad has joined us. In the meanwhile Mr. Swiss found a sturdy sheet of paper and we encouraged the toad to jump on it, which he did with a little push from Mr. Swiss. He was then transported back to the garden, in the middle of a damp looking earth patch, where he hopped away - probably looking for his family or something fat and juicy to eat. 

I am sure you would love to see one of my super close-up photos of this amphibious creature, complete with warts, bumps and other contours. So here he is, Mr. Toad.