There are a lot of things to write about today, including a cool new paper on frigatebirds, birds that can stay aloft (without landing) for over two months. We’ll see how many we get to, as I have other work to do. In the meantime, here’s a “spot the ___” post, with the series initiated long ago by Professor Sir Matthew Cobb (that’s his new name since he was given a literary knighthood by the French for his books on the French resistance and the liberation of Paris).
This one isn’t too hard, but shows again how cryptic animals can be in the wild, and for good reasons. Reader Tom Hennessy sent this photo and some notes:
While I was in Shenandoah National Park in May taking photos of wildflowers and landscapes, I noticed a small toad in a meadow. As I tried to get a photo of it, it buried itself backward into the floor of the meadow.
Okay, spot it! (Click to enlarge; there won’t be a reveal as it’s too easy! But remember, predators don’t know it’s there, and so give the area only a cursory glance.)
Professor Sir Matthew Cobb Congratulations!
He got his award (and a spiffy medal) some time ago, but only now have I worked out the right thing to call him.
Surely
le Chevalier du chat or some such?
Call him anything you want, but don’t call him late for lunch.
The eye gave it away!
A minute later it was completely beneath the leaves and debris. it just wriggled in backwards.
Exactly. The eye is just left of center. Once you see that, the toad becomes obvious. Excellent camouflage.
Yes, indeed! I was able to espy it with my little eye, without embiggening the photo.
Frigatebirds are interesting. I’ve watched them out over the ocean, waiting for another bird to catch a fish, harassing the bird until it drops the fish, and then stealing it for themselves.
I guess you could argue that it’s evidence for intelligent design, so long as it’s stipulated that there must be countless intelligent designers engaged in a ruthless and selfish competition, each caring only about the success of his own creation.
Toad is easy once you see it, but I didn’t see it until I enlarged the picture. Nice!
Toad-spotted
Congratulations, Professor Sir Matthew, Sir!
Amazing camouflage!
At first, I was sure there was no toad there – then I saw the eye! I did have to enlarge it to see it. Nice!
Congratulations.