American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus)
Oakes Quarry Park, Fairborn, Ohio
"If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life." - Rachel Carson
The loud and hoarse croaking of a group of these male toads is unmistakeable. Just right beside the dirt footpath at a quarry is where I heard this wailing cacophony of sound. I was traveling very light for the day with a 150-600mm zoom lens attached to a DSLR strapped to my body. In the moment, I preferred to have a macro setup. In retrospect, this image did more for me anyways.
The bemoaned look, the extended croaking throat, the obscured composition all work in tandem here. The midday lighting was hidden behind clouds as well which aided in not overexposing the background pond water. Compositionally the subject placed slightly offcenter to create a sense of rule of thirds. Overall, a pleasing portrait of this tiny amphibian.
© 2019 Ryan L. Taylor Photography. All Rights Reserved.
AmericanToad2019oakesquarryparkfairbornohio
From Nature
