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mister-toad.com is the personal website and blog of Mike Benard, a biologist who studies the ecology, evolution and conservation of amphibians and other organisms. Mike can be contacted at: mfbenard -at- gmail . com.Copyright Information
Unless otherwise noted, all text and images are © Mike Benard. If you would like to use any of the material in this blog, please send me an email.Mister-toad.com
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Tag Archives: Natural History
May 2019: Bluebirds battle House Sparrows.
This video shows a frantic bird battle that I observed in the Cleveland Metroparks in mid-May. I initially thought it was a trio of Eastern Bluebirds, with the male trying to court the female, while the was trying female trying … Continue reading
Posted in Natural History, Science, Video
Tagged bird, Natural History, Ohio, video
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early June 2019: Treefrog on a shaky branch, and a lonely toad
Two videos of singing amphibians from northeast Ohio in early June. A gray treefrog calls from a shaky perch, and a lonely male toad trills out his song. Continue reading
Posted in Natural History, Photography, Video
Tagged American Toad, Frog, gray treefrog, Natural History, Ohio, singing, video
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Frog Calendar 2019: Twelve months of frogs!
Looking for a natural history gift for a friend or family member? Or a herpetology calendar to keep you up to date? I have compiled some of my favorite photos into a 2019 calendar highlighting some wonderful frogs of North America. Continue reading
Posted in Natural History, Photography, Uncategorized
Tagged Frog, Natural History, zazzle
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Fuzzy white Beech Blight Aphids doing their waggling dance
Beech Blight Aphids (Grylloprociphilus imbricator) will gather in large groups to feed on the sap of beech trees. They have a distinctive “dance” to deter predators. When disturbed, they wave their abdomens and waxy white filaments. These photos and videos … Continue reading
Posted in Natural History, Photography, Video
Tagged beech blight aphid, Invertebrate, Natural History, Ohio
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Rain Posture in Yellow Garden Spider
Photos and video show how a yellow garden spider changes its behavior in a heavy rain. The spider hangs from its web using its back legs, so it is perpendicular to the ground. This might make the body less of a “target” for raindrops. Continue reading
Posted in Natural History, Photography, Video
Tagged behavior, Invertebrate, Natural History, Predation, spider, video
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