In plain sight

It's August in NC, and it's insufferably hot, with humidity so thick that it almost seems difficult to breathe. Lawns are dry and brown, flowers languish in the unrelenting heat.

I often have to water my potted plants twice a day under these conditions, and thats what I was doing yesterday, when I got that uneasy feeling that I was being watched... and no, it wasn't a little stack of cash with googly Geico eyeballs on it. Gosh how I hate that stupid commercial !

I was watering this plant to the left when I got that feeling again, but wait...

Do you see what I see?

Come closer. What is that in the center of that spike plant?

Yikes! Is it s snake???? I can feel a shriek welling up in my throat! But surely a snake can't fit in that tiny spot. And where is his tail?

So I swallow my scream and move just a tad closer....

And LOOK! It's a little tree toad. He's found him a little santuary from the brutal afternoon sun. A shady oasis complete with a rather predictable shower of cool, fresh water.

Some would say it's a face only a mother could love, but I think he's adorable. And like clockwork, he returns every day for his afternoon nap. Now that I know he's there, I can spot him in his perch from across the porch, but I'm happy to let him think he's hidden since I rather enjoy his company.