Artist Reply: Thanks Tazda! THese I will handle, but the sidewinder that came to visit the other night, my brother put his sword collection to use. Hate to do it, but too dangerous for us, the pets, and my grandkids to have to worry about.

Artist Reply: Thanks Maddison! They look prickly, but are actually kind of soft. All for looks. Very calm when handled. I had it walking around my hand for quite a while with the palm open and it didn't move much but to look around. It moved up to the lense and peered in so I had to back up an inch or two. Some of the toads are lighter in color, some are more tan to grey. This one was living around my garden by some red rocks, so not sure if this or diet (I've some red clay dirt in patches in the yard that it may have digested and effected the color.) I took as many photos as I wanted and he nicely obliged.

Artist Reply: Thanks my friend! Long live all the wonders of nature on our earth. These toads are so amazing, yet you can easily pick them up. I know where several live, where I relocate them. I hope to get my garden up and fensed in to keep them there. Won't be doing gardening much this summer, will be traveling. I will be able towards August, which is a fall planting season out here. I try to provide places, like old tree stumps to place in the garden for little visitors to live. I provide aeras for the jackrabbits to grass on natural plants in the back areas of my property. Trying to set up a rabbit proof garden. Meanwhile, putting in desert lanscaping, bushes and trees as I can. I also plant things the rabbits won't eat. When I fence off my garden area for me, the dogs will also have no access. I can put up birdhouses and baths. Right now I have a few drip lines that wrap up a metal fence pole that I put a fountain basin. The dogs can't get the birds up there, so they have fresh water each day. I've well water, so it all goes back down what is not used by the animalsor plants. Bandit did bring me a smile! I will have a great mother's day, and be spoiled by my own kids, and from several of thier friends that grew up and are family to us. I get cards from Girl Scouts I had and still have, from children I work with at school. Yep, really spoiled!

Artist Reply: Thank you Nelly! He was a beautiful creature!

Artist Reply: Thanks Sara! In my childhood dreams I wondered about ever getting to see them. I'd find a garter snake, catch toads or frogs, but seldom saw a lizard. More apt to catch a newt. These are a cool reptile to watch.