For the Love of Marge
“It’s like a dang story book in this yard!” That’s a direct quote from me to friends recently. I consider it a true honor that so many wonderful little critters have made my garden and yard their home. I feel grateful to witness their existence.
One special friend that has been around for several years, but whom I have just recently introduced is my gal Marge. Marge is a large, female Fowler’s toad that has lived in my garden since 2022. At first, I wasn’t certain that she was the same toad I would see season after season. However, I’ve been observing her more closely this summer. She loves to hang out on my brick stoop, which I can relate to because it’s also a place I enjoy sitting and thinking. Marge is on the porch so frequently- typically in mornings or evenings- that I now know to look out for her before letting the dogs run free. I’ve become a sort of toad-crossing guard, so to speak.. I like to think that the stoop is her throne, where she can observe her vast kingdom. She does travel to other spots, though. A few weeks ago, I was surprised to see her (though well-camouflaged) near the chicken run across the yard! A fine place, honestly, as that area is typically humming with mosquitoes all hours of the day.
Like my other garden friends, Marge had me wondering about the lifespan of toads and how to determine their sex. I was able to identify Marge with the iNaturalist app (a fav for all flora and fauna) where I learned that female toads are always bigger than males. A quick Google search led me to this article by NC Wildlife Magazine (I do illustration work for them!), where I learned that Fowler’s toads can typically live 3-5 years in the wild. While I do not’t have a concrete idea of her age, I hope Marge continues to visit for as long as she is able.
Observing the microcosm of my yard is both entertaining and calming. As an artist, part of my job involves the art of really looking at things. While I like to keep my phone on hand for photo documentation, I make sure to spend a little time daily, phone-free, to observe for the sake of being present and mindful. While mindfulness practice has garnered attention in recent years, I find it to be one of the most immediate and accessible ways to ground myself. What have you observed in nature recently that captivated your attention?
*A note on toads and safety: Fowler’s toads, like many toads, secrete a toxic liquid from their skin to deter predators. I keep an eye out for Marge and make sure the dogs don’t get too close to keep them safe. At this point, she isn’t as novel to them, and the dogs tend to keep their distance. I have had to move Marge out of the way from time to time and always wash my hands afterward.