Toads in the Road (from September 20)

From my nature journal: September 20, 2009

Driving home last night, I tried to avoid hitting all the toads in the road. Small hopping jumpers, their eyes reflecting red, the toads came out to enjoy the warm rain. Little carcasses showed where cars had been unable to keep from running them down. I slowed, glad to be alone on a country road, driving carefully to let these little ones live. Crane flies, looking like giant mosquitoes, fluttered in the air. However, the mosquitoes themselves seemed fewer than usual.

This morning, the scent of warm rich leaf mold permeated the damp air. My daughter rescued one last toad, removing it from the road before the bus came rumbling up.