Who goes there?

Many a critter skittered, waddled, walked and crawled on the beach before 7am. 

Toadally unexpected

These purple beauties demanded their photo be taken and I obligingly took several.  I sat by the pond for several minutes looking at them and the breathtaking view out over the Pacific Ocean along the Hana Highway.  At one point in my peripheral view, it seemed the lily pads moved, surged up.  I watched the pond intently.  No movement, perhaps the Maui sun has baked my brain.

 

A cooling wind stirred.  I leaned my head back to watch the palm fronds sway against the backdrop of the tropical blue sky.  When I decided to get up off the ground, I looked squarely into two angry eyes staring intently at me.  She sat still so I did the same.  I sat still some more.  She moved......toward me, grumbled something that if interpreted was most likely akin to "Mama's gonna mess you up".  It was then that I saw many black tadpoles wriggling amongst the lily pads and Mama's feet.  Not one to aggravate the wildlife, I packed up and moved on with the day.

It would seem she is a Cane Toad.  Also called Marine Toad or Bufo marinus.  They like to be near water for breeding and apparently it's breeding/birthing time on Maui by the looks of this one up above.   They secrete a poisonous substance from the glands in their neck if they feel threatened.  A dog could die if they bite one.  Scientists strongly advise against licking them as it can cause a horrible tongue fungus or even death.  What??!?!  Here I was looking for a stick laying about on which to have a Toadipop.  Sorry, you'd clearly have to be stoned out of your gourd to lick a toad.  Just sayin'.

Happy Birthday!

Birthday boy, Artemis

Artemis (aka #1018 or The A.I. Baby around campus)

Lightning (aka #739 around campus)

Pure luck afforded me the privilege one year ago today to be present when the reindeer you see in the first two photos was born.  Go here to read more on that.

Although there was no pomp and circumstance--he is after all a research animal--I thought it only fitting to get a baby's first birthday photo.  Thank you to George Aguiar of the Reindeer Research Program at UAF for taking the time to listen to my silly request to find out The Baby's number and location.  Without his help, I would never have figured out which reindeer was the right one.  Additionally helpful was the website for the Reindeer Research Program listing all the reindeer names. So now I can tell you that #1018 was dubbed Artemis.

The bottom photo is Lightning.  She's Artemis' mom.  Seems only fair to include her since she did all the work. Last time I saw her she was worn out from a long birth, the poor girl.  Looking good now though, wouldn't you say? 

If you'd like to take part in naming a reindeer, here's a link.  Go ahead.  Use your imagination.  Put a name in the hat and maybe your name will be chosen for some lucky reindeer!