This little guy is a horned toad. It's amazing how well he blends into the surrounding landscape. If I hadn't hard the rustling of the dry grasses, I'd have missed him. The shot was taken in Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo, TX.
A very long time ago, I attended a physics conference with My Guy (Who at the time was just My Boyfriend. Must have been true love don't you think? What else would drive one to sit through an entire day of talks on physics?). The conference was at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX. One of the first things that we saw on campus was this statue of some spiky creature. Looking at the plaque on the statue, it said this was a horned toad, TCU's mascot. Struck me as a bit weird for a school mascot, so it stuck with me. When I saw this little guy it was like, wow, they do exist. I think he's cuter in person than his TCU likeness.
To see other wildlife, check out Cat Patches.
9 comments:
I don't think I've ever seen a horned toad in the flesh. What a great shot. Thanks for posting to Foto Finish.
Wow! I had to zoom to see what he really looks like. He's certainly horny! LOL
What amazing camouflage. I agree it seems a wierd thing to have as a mascot.
I've never seen one other than maybe in a zoo.
This happened to me recently when I was outside. A bird blended so ridiculously well with the surroundings that I didn't notice it until I saw branches move. It amazes me how well they blend in!
He looks like a lizard ...and kinda creepy. I guess we have to trust nature cant make everything beautiful and it's enough for some things to be interesting looking!
Great photo Kate.
He is so cute. I have so many memories about horned toads - which we called horny toads back when people were innocent. My best bud and I used to go to an empty lot and walk around the rail fence collecting horned toads. Then we would take them home and race them. And yes, they do spit blood out of their eye, or something that looks like blood. Kind of freaky when it happens. Their bellies are really soft and they stay really still when you pet them there.
I have never seen a horned toad before, it does look a lot like a lizard, or at least an Australian lizard. Amazing camouflage.
I had to laugh at your comment about your daughter's room, I have the same problem.
Wonderful shot of the horned toad! I really had to look 'between the lines' to see him!
Thanks for sharing your Foto Finish!
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