Three’s a crowd

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Three’s a crowd

March 21, 2016 by Mike Powell

The single American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus) inched closer and closer to the couple, looking like he wanted to cut in. Growing impatent, he decided that the only way to dislodge his rival was to take action. With a big splash, he jumped right onto the other male’s back.

Was the maneuver successful? Well, I think he separated the couple, but I couldn’t tell which of the males ended up with the female.

Posted in Amphibians, Nature, Photography, spring, wildlife | Tagged Alexandria VA, American Toad, Anaxyrus americanus, Canon 50D, Huntley Meadows Park, Tamron 150-600mm, toad | 6 Comments

6 Responses

on March 21, 2016 at 9:48 am | Reply Laura (PA Pict)

Wonderful portrait and that action shot made me laugh. Schadenfreude.
on March 21, 2016 at 1:30 pm | Reply Lyle Krahn

The action is intensifying at your park!
- on March 22, 2016 at 5:10 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Indeed there is lots of action, though I suspect that much of it is taking place in more discreet places in the park rather than in plain view. 🙂
on March 21, 2016 at 2:04 pm | Reply dianaed2013

Great shots
- on March 22, 2016 at 5:10 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks. It seems like the breeding period for those toads is pretty short. I stopped by yesterday, about a week after all of the actions, and all was quiet.
on March 22, 2016 at 4:53 am | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

There is a lot of wrestling going on in ponds in spring.