Love is in the air

We came across a pair of mating common toads (Bufo bufo) during a short excursion along the clear waters of the Rio Dobra on the western edge of the Picos de Europa.

The male common toad is generally smaller than the female and clasp their mate in a special hold during mating, prior to spawning.  They can remain like this for some days.

They are said to return to the same stretch of water year after year, so I will make a note to visit next spring.