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The blue trees are part of an ongoing environmental art exhibit. The trees where painted (with a safe paint) to draw attention to global deforestation and the relationship people have to trees in their everyday environment. The artists name is Konstantin Dimopoulos
I visited Fraserburgh on Tuesday 13th of November 2018, after a few hours at the harbour I made my way to Kinnaird Lighthouse Museum.
I decided to walk along the harbours path rather than drive, as I made my way towards the museum I came across this historic building.
I post its tragic history below, thanks to Wiki etc for the research.
The Winetower
The Winetower is a small three-storey tower located approximately 50 metres (160 ft) from Kinnaird Head Lighthouse.
The tower has been dated to the 16th-century, and may have gained its name through use as a store associated with the castle
The tower is accessed via the second floor, and contains elaborate carved stone pendants.
It is reputed that in the cave below, one of the Fraser family imprisoned his daughter's boyfriend, leaving him to drown there.
The daughter then jumped from the roof of the tower. There is red paint on the rocks below to illustrate her blood. According to local tradition, the tower is said to be haunted.
Castle
Kinnaird Head Castle and the adjacent Wine Tower are two of the best preserved structures of the ancient “nine castles of the knuckle” situated along the Buchan coast.
The 16th century castle was built by the Frasers of Philorth to demonstrate dominance and power over their planned town of Fraserburgh.
Falling out of fashion, the castle was sold to the Northern Lighthouse Board in 1787 to be converted into Scotland’s first mainland lighthouse, making Kinnaird Head unique among Scotland’s castles.
As well as the tower itself, original features such as the old castle kitchens and elements of the grand hall can be seen by visitors.
Discover the castle’s unique 450 year story of continual reinvention and survival from castle, to lighthouse, to museum.
The adjacent Wine Tower is an ancient pre-reformation building steeped in mystery and curiosity, dramatically perched over the crashing waves.
Visit the upper vaulted chamber of the Wine Tower to view seven preserved roof pendants, carved in stone, showing the Fraser’s family connections and commitment to the faith.
The monument consists of the upstanding remains of a 16th century tower, originally an ancillary building associated with the nearby Kinnaird Head Castle.
The tower retains its original scale and form and contains unusual sculptural detail in the form of seven carved stone bosses.
The bosses depict heraldic symbols of the Frasers and affiliated families, the royal arms of Scotland and the coat of arms of Christ. They demonstrate the familial connections and interests of the Frasers of Philorth.
The tower was built in the 16th century, probably in the latter half of the century. One of the carved bosses bears the Arms of Fraser impaling Ogilvie, commemorating the marriage of Sir Alexander Fraser, 8th Laird of Philorth, and his first wife Magdalen Ogilvie in 1559.
This suggests the tower could not have been built before this date unless the bosses are insertions into an older building. The figure of eight gun loops below the windows in the upper floor also suggest a late 16th century date.
The purpose of the tower is uncertain. It originally stood at the edge of the courtyard of Kinnaird Head Castle flanked by the now demolished doocot tower, and was part of the castle complex. It has been interpreted as a private chapel built for Magdalen Ogilvie, the Roman Catholic wife of Alexander Fraser (Bryce 1987).
The semi-defended nature of the upper chamber may support this interpretation, along with the decoration of one of the carved bosses with the symbols of Christ, known as the Arma Christi.
However, the room is not obviously a chapel; it is oriented north-south with a fireplace occupying the east wall and there are no features indicating a specific ecclesiastical use.
The remaining bosses depict the heraldic symbols of the Frasers and other families, rather than religious symbols.
It is likely the tower has served several different purposes since its construction in the 16th century.
The tower was used as a powder magazine and store during the 19th century and is recorded as being used as a store for the nearby lighthouse in 1914.
Scientific study of the monument would allow us to develop a better understanding of the overall form of the tower (for instance did it have additional fllors) and its relationship with the wider castle complex. It would also help our understanding of the chronology of the site, including its date of origin, original purpose and changing use and status.
The monument has the potential to enhance our understanding of the date of construction and function of the tower and its relationship to the nearby castle. It can add to our knowledge of construction techniques and architectural preferences of the time, and the way in which the fashion and function of such buildings developed.
The carved stone bosses have the potential to further the study of craftsmanship, design influences and artistic significance and enhance our knowledge of sculpture and heraldry. They can add to our knowledge of the religious, social and political history of late 16th century Scotland.
Contextual Characteristics
The monument is the only surviving ancillary structure of the nearby Kinnaird Head Castle (which was converted into Scotland's first mainland lighthouse in 1787). Although most castles were provided with additional buildings such associated features rarely survive.
Additionally, the seven finely carved stone bosses within the tower are of particular significance. Similar carvings are found at the castles of Gight (scheduled monument reference SM2508; Canmore ID 19800), Craig (listed building reference LB2736; Canmore ID 17245), Towie-Barclay (listed building reference LB16405; Canmore ID 19196) and Delgatie (listed building reference LB16421; Canmore ID 19251).
The bosses in the Wine Towner are particularly well carved and their presence in an otherwise plainly decorated ancillary tower is unusual. The tower therefore is an unusual survival of a structure associated with a late medieval/early modern castle.
The Wine Tower has the potential to broaden our understanding of the nature and chronology of late medieval/early modern defensible houses and their ancillary structures, their place within the landscape of northeast Scotland, and the development and use of such sites over time.
Associative Characteristics
The tower is connected with a legend which tells the story of the 17th century daughter of the head of the Fraser family who fell in love with a piper. Her father imprisoned the piper in a cave which supposedly runs below the Wine Tower and locked his daughter in the tower above.
During a high tide the piper drowned and the daughter leapt to her death from the window to the rocks below. Until recently the lighthouse keepers threw red paint on the spot as a tribute when they were painting the lighthouse.
Statement of National Importance
This monument is of national importance because it makes a significant addition to our understanding of the date, construction, use and development of late medieval/early modern defensible houses and their ancillary structures. It is an impressive structure that retains its field characteristics and contains unusual sculptural detail in the form of seven stone bosses carved with heraldic designs. The tower makes a significant contribution to today's landscape and would have been a prominent part of the historic landscape. The loss or damage of the monument would diminish our ability to appreciate and understand the character and development of tower houses and their ancillary structures. It would reduce our understanding of religious, social and political history during the late medieval and early post-medieval periods, as well as the development of such sites over time.
Archaeology Notes
The Wine Tower is most probably so called because it was the wine-cellar of those who at one time resided in the nearby castle which is now the lighthouse. Under this tower is a cave more than 100 feet in length.
Wine Tower: No satisfactory explanation of its existence has been produced for this tower. It is clearly a 16th century work, subsequent to the first quarter of that century, and built by the Frasers. It is built of very rough masonry in three stories, all vaulted, with walls about 5 ft thick and measures externally 26 feet 7 inches by 21 feet by 27 feet high. It is probably connected with the cave below.
Lord Saltoun (Saltoun 1963) states that the Wine Tower and Kinnaird were 'almost certainly successors one of another'.
They were two of a chain of castles along the Buchan coast probably originated by the Comyns in the 13th century.
It has been associated with one of the north-east’s most gruesome legends.
And now, the mysterious Wine Tower at the Scottish Museum of Lighthouses in Fraserburgh is being opened for guided tours later in the summer.
It was built in the 16th century and the Kinnaird Head structure is the oldest building in the port.
The Wine Tower was said to be a store for the old Fraserburgh Castle and there was even a suggestion it was a hidden Catholic chapel.
But the building is perhaps best known as the site of one of Aberdeenshire’s darkest tales.
Legend has it that in the late 1500s, Sir Alexander Fraser, the 8th Laird of Philorth was so enraged by his daughter, Isobel’s romantic dalliance with a piper that he had the musician chained in a sea cave below the tower.
The piper drowned and the distraught Isobel killed herself by jumping on to the rocks below.
It has been claimed the piper can still be heard playing in the cave during stormy conditions.
The tower used to have four different levels, but only three of these still remain.
Each level can be accessed through hatches and stairs placed on the side of the building and different rooms.
Lynda McGuigan, manager of the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, said they have decided to reopen it after demand from visitors.
She added they had to keep it closed to deter people who damaging the interior.
Ms McGuigan said: “We had a problem with vandals kicking stairs and doors in the past.
“It has not been open on a regular basis and the tours will be an extra.
“We realised people wanted to see inside it, so we are going to open it for a one-off.”
The tower will open for a single daily tour over July and August.
Colourful Camden, with the great street art, and so many expressions, on the weekend many many people…..This image is one I am adding to the Flickr World Day Photography for the their theme of Built Environment
4 Enviro 400s, E40D/Hybrids sit at the bus stands at Edgware.
Far left: TE1104 LK60AHU working on 113
Middle left: TEH1233 LK61BKV working on 113
Middle right: TE1103 LK60AHP working on 204
Far right: TE1087 LK60AFY working on 32
Arriving on the coast of Madagascar, you’re greeted by the unbelievable tones of red…the Betsiboka river mouth, and its unbelievable (but true) veins of red flowing into the sea for dozens of kilometers… I took almost the exact same picture during Proxima and people have since explained to me that the red is an example of dramatic erosion – soil that is washing away from rainfall into the river and the Sea. The beautiful colours I see from space is actually a consequence of very concerning land loss. A focus of this year's World Environment Day is on erosion and how the #GenerationRestoration can get active to limit the effects and preserve our environment. www.worldenvironmentday.global
Un des plus beaux pays du monde sans aucun doute : Madagascar ! On est accueilli par l’embouchure de la Betsiboka, qui déploie de magnifiques veines rouges sur des dizaines de kilomètres. J’avais pris la même photo pendant ma première mission sans savoir d’où venait cette flamboyance. Les internautes m’avaient appris qu’elle était malheureusement causée par la très forte érosion causée par la déforestation massive. Sans les racines des arbres pour ancrer le sol, à chaque précipitation des vagues de sédiments se déversent dans le fleuve jusqu’à l’océan… Un phénomène dramatique que l’on retrouve sur toute la planète : des surfaces de forêts de la superficie de la Station spatiale disparaissent toutes les trois secondes ! La FAO fait un travail remarquable pour la restauration de ce type d’écosystème, leurs experts ont les arguments et les propositions pour renverser la tendance : www.worldenvironmentday.global/fr/propos/restauration-des... 💪 #GenerationRestoration #WorldEnvironmentDay
Credits: ESA/NASA–T. Pesquet
513B4521
Dear Students we are going to see strategic management right one of your papers and theory in IPCC right now this strategic management is journey of business towards perfection and efficiency now the chapters we are going cover now are Business Environment, Business Policy and Strategic Management, Strategic Analysis, Strategic Planning, Formation of Functional Strategy, Strategy Implementation and Control, Reaching Strategic Edge so these are the seven chapters that cover in SM, now let’s see something about pattern of SM it’s for 50 marks as everyone is aware of. Section B covers this paper answer is separate yes booklet question number A that’s our first question in this subject, which is compulsory for 15 marks right and how it is 5 questions each 3 marks, answer any 5 questions from the rest 6 and 7 marks right and 5 questions gives you 35 so totally 50 Maximum 4 mark minimum 1 mark.
Now let see business environment our first chapter. So children’s we see definition of business given by B. O. Wheeler now “Business is an institution which is perfectly organized and operated corrected, proper arrangements are made for doing business to provide goods and services to society under the incentive of private personal gain this what the wheeler said about the business.
Now see what Lui Haney said business is a human activity directed towards producing and acquiring wealth through buying and selling that means buy karo sell karo and you gain that is business now meaning of business is different for different people right let us understand Entity view->Company Corporation and few for few people it is process buying up selling products and few others its like profession or an occupation now according to peter drucker's What is business which is created by and managed by all of us group of peoples they take designs and that design ha an some of the other result or outcome of the entire business. true for each and every business. its not only profit it includes development of wealth, goodwill, societal factors, relations etc. and much much more that is business according to Peter Deuckers. right kids, now lets see the objective, basic objective kya hai.
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www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/museums-galleries/blog/2...
“How Not To Be Seen: A Fucking Didactic Educational .MOV File” (2013) by Hito Steyerl is a work of sustained intensity: a kaleidoscopic essay on cinematic editing, aerial photography, and facial-recognition technology. It’s also a love-note to falling into a very particular kind of YouTube hole: luxury apartment development architectural demo videos.
observer.com/2017/12/curator-mark-beasley-highlights-vide...
Hito Steyerl How Not to Be Seen looks at how video surveillance and monitoring is shaping contemporary life.
www.flickr.com/photos/anokarina/40006366234/in/album-7215...
1 Sqn RAF Regiment practicing vehicle drills, section and individual attacks as well as dismounting drills with the Foxhound Vehicle and practicing section attack drills.
The training was prior to the commencement of their live firing element of Exercise Saif Sareea. The training was located in RAFO Air base in Thumrait.
Exercise Saif Sareea 3 brought 5,500 UK armed forces (900 personnel from the RAF) together with over 60,000 Omani troops, utilising Air, Sea and Land assets in the Bilateral training exercise in the Omani Desert.
Sands Point Preserve,
Port Washington North, Long Island
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The most likely colors to attract bees, according to scientists, are purple, violet and blue. Bees also have the ability to see color much faster than humans.
-- Mark Owens
Kew’s Palm House is considered to be the most important surviving Victorian iron and glass structure in the world. It was designed by Decimus Burton and engineered by Richard Turner to accommodate the exotic palms being collected and introduced to Europe in early Victorian times. This pioneering project was the first time engineers used wrought iron to span such large widths without supporting columns. This technique was borrowed from the shipbuilding industry and from a distance the glasshouse resembles an upturned hull. The result is a vast, light, lofty space that can easily accommodate the crowns of large palms, while boasting 16,000 panes of glass.
Heating was an important element of the glasshouse’s design, as tropical palms need a warm, moist environment to thrive. Originally, basement boilers sent heat into the glasshouse via water pipes running beneath iron gratings in the floor. A tunnel ran between the Palm House and the Italianate Campanile smoke stack that stands beside Victoria Gate. This 150-metres long (490ft) passage served the dual purpose of carrying away sooty fumes to be released from the chimney and enabling coal to be brought to the boilers by underground railway.Today, the glasshouse is heated using gas, and the tunnel houses the Palm House Keeper’s office. Originally, palms, cycads and climbers were planted in large teak tubs or clay pots that sat atop benches above the iron gratings. However, in 1860, two large central beds were dug and the tallest palms planted in them. Subsequently, most of the glasshouse’s plants were dug into beds to form a miniature indoor tropical rainforest.
Today, the tallest palms that need the most room are located beneath the central dome. These include the peach palm (Bactris gasipaes), babassu (Attalea speciosa), queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana) and the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera).
Kew Gardens is a botanical gardens in south-west London and the world's largest collection of living plants. Founded in 1840, from the exotic garden at Kew Park in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, UK, its living collections include more than 30,000 different kinds of plants, while the herbarium, which is one of the largest in the world, has over seven million preserved plant specimens. The library contains more than 750,000 volumes, and the illustrations collection contains more than 175,000 prints and drawings of plants. It is one of London's top tourist attractions. In 2003, the gardens were put on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
Kew Gardens, together with the botanic gardens at Wakehurst Place in Sussex, are managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (brand name Kew), an internationally important botanical research and education institution that employs 750 staff, and is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The Kew site, which has been dated as formally starting in 1759, though can be traced back to the exotic garden at Kew Park, formed by Lord Capel John of Tewkesbury, consists of 121 hectares (300 acres) of gardens and botanical glasshouses, four Grade I listed buildings and 36 Grade II listed structures, all set in an internationally significant landscape.
Kew Gardens has its own police force, Kew Constabulary, which has been in operation since 1847.
www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/explore/attractions/palm-ho...
Our school has special events/activities every Friday, and this Friday is "World Environment Day". So this is what our marketing team was able to set up at our school entrance. :)
The western toad (Anaxyrus boreas, formerly Bufo boreas) is a large toad species, between 5.6 and 13 cm (2.2 and 5.1 in) long, native to western North America.[1][2][3] A. boreas is frequently encountered during the wet season on roads, or near water at other times. When handled adults often vocalize, making a sound like a peeping chick while struggling. It eats any type of insect it can catch. It can jump a considerable distance for a toad. Breeding occurs between March and July in mountainous areas, and as early as January in lower-elevation regions. The female lays up to 17,000 eggs stuck together in strings that adhere to vegetation and other objects along water edges.[4]
Description
It has a white or cream dorsal stripe, and is dusky gray or greenish dorsally with skin glands concentrated within the dark blotches. Its parotoid glands are oval, widely separated, and larger than the upper eyelids. It has a mottled venter and horizontal pupils but lacks cranial crests. Compared to females, males have smoother skin, reduced dorsal blotching, and nuptial pads (thickened skin) on their forefeet during breeding season. In juveniles of this species, the dorsal stripe is weak or absent. Large young have prominent dorsal and ventral spotting and yellow feet.
Subspecies
There are two known subspecies of the western toad:
Boreal toad (A. b. boreas)
California toad (A. b. halophilus)
Distribution[edit]
The range of western toad extends from western British Columbia and southern Alaska south through Washington, Oregon, and Idaho to northern Baja California, Mexico; east to Montana, western and central Wyoming, Nevada, the mountains and higher plateaus of Utah, and western Colorado.[5] Occurrences of the boreal toad from Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territories, and northwestern and north-central British Columbia have been reported.[6] Southern records of boreal toads in New Mexico have been published.[7]
The ranges of subspecies are as follows:[5][8]
boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas boreas): western British Columbia and southern Alaska south from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana and western Wyoming to northern California, Nevada, western Colorado, and western Utah.
California toad (Anaxyrus boreas halophilus): extreme western Nevada through the Central Valley of California and coastal California south to Baja California.
Habitat[edit]
The boreal toad is found in the Rocky Mountains in aspen (Populus spp.) groves and riparian forests.[9] In Colorado, the largest populations are typically found in areas characterized by willows (Salix spp.), bog birch (Betula glandulosa), and shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa).[10] In the Pacific Northwest, the western toad occurs in mountain meadows and less commonly in Douglas-fir forests (Pseudotsuga menziesii).[9]
In California, optimum habitat for the western toad includes wet or dry mountain meadows or riparian deciduous forest with available open water for breeding. Suitable habitat includes blue oak (Quercus douglasii) savanna, gray pine-oak forest (Pinus sabiniana-Quercus spp.), mixed conifer forest, and alpine meadows. Marginal habitats include annual grasslands, chaparral, ponderosa pine forests, California black oak woodlands, Jeffrey pine forests, and red fir forests.[11]
In the Sierra Nevada, the western toad occurs in mid-elevation pine forests (including Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi) at higher elevations and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) at lower elevations), California black oak woodlands (Quercus kelloggii), giant sequoia groves (Sequoiadendron giganteum), montane fir forest (which includes white fir (Abies concolor), red fir (Abies magnifica], and western white pine (Pinus monticola)), and redwood forest (Sequoia sempervirens). It is also found in riparian areas within sagebrush-pinyon communities (Artemisia spp.-Pinus spp.), oak-pine woodland and savanna (including coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), interior live oak (Quercus wislizenii), and canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis)), and California coastal forest and scrub.[9]
Western toads have been collected from sedge meadows near a pond occurring in a creosotebush (Larrea tridentata) community, and from aspen (Populus spp.)-willow groves within big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)-grassland.[5]
Life cycle
Oval parotoid glands, located behind the eyes, are distinguishing features of this species.
Western toads are active from January to October, depending on latitude and elevation, and hibernate over the winter.[12] Boreal toads in one Colorado population used natural chambers near a small stream bed. The high water table, constantly flowing stream, and deep winter snow served to maintain the air temperature within the hibernaculum at a point slightly above freezing. Emergence from hibernation followed a few days of warm temperatures that freed the entrance and increased temperatures within the chamber to about 39.2 °F (4.0 °C).[10][13]
At low elevations western toads are active at night; at high elevations and in the northern parts of their range they are diurnal.[12] Body temperature of western toads is closely correlated with the substrate temperature. Basking and conduction from the substrate are primary means of increasing body temperature and cooling is achieved by evaporative cooling and conduction of heat to a cooler medium. Diurnal and nocturnal activity are often related to seasonal changes in temperature; most western toads are diurnal during the spring and fall but are nocturnal during the warmer summer months.[10]
In central Oregon, the minimum breeding age for male western toads is three years, and probably four or five years for females.[14] California toads are reported as sexually mature at 2 years of age.[15] Male western toads breed every year; females breed at less regular intervals, depending on individual condition and previous years' breeding effort.[14] Sex ratios differ according to habitat type; males are more numerous in wet areas and females are more numerous in dry habitats.[10]
Eggs are laid in open water from February to July, with peak activity occurring in April. Timing of egg-laying activity varies with elevation and weather conditions.[11] In Colorado, initiation of breeding was correlated with the onset of warming weather and initiation of snowpack melting. Eggs are usually laid in late May or early June.[10] In western Montana, a few males were present on the shores (of two gravel pits) by May 11, 1967, and by May 14, each pond contained at least 30 males. Males were spaced at least 1 foot (0.30 m) apart, all facing the shore[16] Eggs are laid in gelatinous strings of 13 to 52 eggs per inch (2.5 cm), in masses of up to 16,500 per clutch.[5][17] Egg development rate is partially dependent on temperature; hatching times vary.[15]
Metamorphosis is usually completed within three months of egg laying. The time required for metamorphosis is given as 30 to 45 days for the boreal toad and 28 to 45 days for the California toad.[5]
Female western toads at least 10 to 11 years of age have been reported.[14] In Colorado, boreal toads probably attain a maximum age of at least 9 years.[10]
Preferred habitat
Western toads are widespread throughout the mountainous areas of northwestern North America, ranging from sea level to elevations near or above regional treeline, or 10,000 feet (305–3,050 m)[clarification needed] in elevation.[5][11] It is uncommon at the higher elevations.[11] Elevational range in Colorado is from about 7,000 to 11,860 feet (2,130 to 3,610 m). In the mountains of Colorado, the largest western toad populations usually occur from about 9,500 to 11,000 feet (2,900 to 3,400 m) elevation.[18] Western toads occupy desert streams and springs, grasslands, and mountain meadows; they are less common in heavily wooded regions. They are usually found in or near ponds, lakes (including saline lakes), reservoirs, rivers, and streams within the above-mentioned habitats.[5][12] Under laboratory conditions western toads were able to survive in 40% seawater, but died within a week when exposed to 50% seawater.[15]
In Colorado, individual western toads typically maintain distinct ranges which vary greatly in size according to the condition of the habitat. Breeding males may exhibit territoriality, especially in areas where breeding sites are scarce.[10]
Populations of western toads have very limited dispersal, particularly in rugged terrain.[14]
Western toads require open water for breeding.[11] All breeding members of a local population tend to lay their eggs in the same location, which is used repeatedly from year to year. For example, at one site on a permanent lake in the Oregon Cascade Range, western toads returned each year to the same submerged willow clumps.[14] Eggs are usually laid in shallow water, not deeper than 12 inches (300 mm) but usually at least 6 inches (150 mm).[14][17] The warmth of shallow water increases the rate at which development occurs; shallow water and vegetative matter may contribute to protection of eggs from predation by fish.[14] In western Montana, breeding western toads used gravel pits that were only filled with water during spring runoff. These gravel pits contained cattails (Typha spp.) but no other vegetation, and were 5 feet (1.5 m) deep in the center.[16]
Cover requirements
Western toads are terrestrial. Their body temperatures are largely controlled by basking and evaporative cooling. In order to avoid evaporative conditions, they usually spend the daylight hours on the forest floor in the soil under rocks, logs, stumps, or other surface objects or in rodent burrows.[5][9][12][15][17] Individuals have been observed to use the same retreat repeatedly. In locations where there is little or no hiding cover, western toads may spend most of the day in the water.[5] Under more humid conditions, western toads may become active during the day.[15]
Western toads lay their eggs in water; they require some form of surface cover near the egg-laying location. Woody debris or submerged vegetation is used to protect egg masses.[14][17]
Food habits
Western toads wait for their prey on the surface of the ground or in shallow burrows dug by other animals. Their diet consists largely of bees, beetles, ants, and arachnids. Other foods include crayfish, sowbugs, grasshoppers, trichopterans, lepidopterans, and dipterans.[5][11]
Predators
Tadpoles are preyed upon by fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals.[15] Toads in general tend to walk or hop rather than jump (like frogs). Their slow movement renders them vulnerable to predators; however, the western toad (like other toads) produces skin toxins that are avoided by many predator species. The nocturnal habit may help reduce predation.[9] Adult western toads are preyed upon by common ravens (Corvus corax) and probably by other birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals as well.[14][15] A badger (Taxidea taxus) was recorded as having consumed five adult Anaxyrus (probably western toad, as it was the only Anaxyrus species in the area) in Wyoming.[19]
Conservation
The western toad is a species occupying a variety of habitats, but is listed as near threatened largely due to the impact of disease and chemical contamination of the environment, especially chytridiomycosis.[1] One of the chief chemical threats is the overuse of the fertilizer urea, which is often applied in high dosage to forest environments to increase biomass productivity and economic return. A. boreas is harmed by the dermal absorption of this chemical, which can lead to increased mortality.[20]