A Still Life at Toad Hall

My friend had won an award for her still life painting.  That same day my Gardener excitedly beckoned me to come and look at the still life.   I went out expecting to see Nola with her painting.

There was no Nola or any sign of a painting.   Madala was pointing to my pot plant. I asked him what was wrong with it.   His reply was “there is a still life, you know – the one you like”.   There sure enough there was our resident toad sleeping in the pot.

I had to marvel at the simple description as he explained that the toad was still, but alive – a still life.  It was very hot weather and I noticed that Hop-fellow as we called him was there every day and would pop out for food in the early part of the evening.   How privileged we have been.

Close up photo on the RHS of  Hop-fellow, our resident Leopard Toad catching a quiet nap – described as a “still life”

Les

 

Notice of 2011  meeting of  Toad Volunteers

Dear Toad Friends in Noordhoek, Glencairn, Glencairn Heights, Sun Valley and Fish Hoek,

Every winter thousands of Western Leopard Toads leave the safety of their solitary garden homes in our suburbs to make the life-threatening journey to their nearest ponds to breed. Many of these animals won’t make it home – they will become road kill statistics.

Here are the numbers from the 2010 breeding season:

Over 100 volunteers

Patrolled in 18 suburbs

For 752 hours

To save 1753 toads.

Sadly of these, up to 20% were killed by unwitting motorists

Without our volunteers, the death toll would be far higher. Become part of one of the largest volunteer efforts in South Africa to save a single species from extinction! Any amount of your time is appreciated.

Join us for training to become a toad volunteer for the 2011 breeding migration (July – September)

Date: 18^th May   Time: 19h00 – 21h00

 

Please let us know if you can attend.  All ‘oldies’ should join us for new data collection instructions.

Many thanks,  Alison and Suzie

Toad NUTS  www.toadnuts.co.za