You are either already subscribed or there was an error
Your entry has been submitted
Sorry, your entry could not be submitted
Turtles in the wild
2008.10.06
I was driving through Mercer County Park in Princeton, NJ on my way to play in a tennis tournament when I saw this box turtle on a grassy patch between two roads. I stopped to get a closer look.
Click here to add text
I was driving through Mercer County Park in Princeton, NJ on my way to play in a tennis tournament when I saw this box turtle on a grassy patch between two roads. I stopped to get a closer look.
1
I thought he had a wonderful face and markings, but I could see he was kind of worried. I lifted him up and carried him across the road in the direction he was going. I couldn't bear the thought of him trying to cross and not being seen by a passing car.
Click here to add text
I thought he had a wonderful face and markings, but I could see he was kind of worried. I lifted him up and carried him across the road in the direction he was going. I couldn't bear the thought of him trying to cross and not being seen by a passing car.
2
As you can see, after I placed him on the other side of the road, he was very relieved.
Click here to add text
As you can see, after I placed him on the other side of the road, he was very relieved.
3
At the same park, I found a painted turtle swimming in the lake.
Click here to add text
At the same park, I found a painted turtle swimming in the lake.
4
A few weeks later, I was riding my bike in Central Park, Doylestown, PA and just in time saw this baby turtle crossing the bike path. If he hadn't moved, he would barely have been noticeable. He looked like he was newly hatched and he still had dirt on his shell.
Click here to add text
A few weeks later, I was riding my bike in Central Park, Doylestown, PA and just in time saw this baby turtle crossing the bike path. If he hadn't moved, he would barely have been noticeable. He looked like he was newly hatched and he still had dirt on his shell.
5
I found this snack-sized box of raisins to put next to him to give some perspective. His shell was about an inch long. I'm guessing he is a snapping turtle, but, then, I don't know anything about turtles.
Click here to add text
I found this snack-sized box of raisins to put next to him to give some perspective. His shell was about an inch long. I'm guessing he is a snapping turtle, but, then, I don't know anything about turtles.
6
My friend, Lynn, picked him up and then we deliberated about where to put him.
Click here to add text
My friend, Lynn, picked him up and then we deliberated about where to put him.
7
Look how tiny he is! He was a determined little fellow and wherever we put him, he kept walking forward with determination. Look at those cute little feet with the sharp claws!
Click here to add text
Look how tiny he is! He was a determined little fellow and wherever we put him, he kept walking forward with determination. Look at those cute little feet with the sharp claws!
8
I put him in my pocket and we pedaled to the lake. We put him on the edge of the water and after a short hesitation, he walked into the water and floated. Then he figured it out and started paddling.
Click here to add text
I put him in my pocket and we pedaled to the lake. We put him on the edge of the water and after a short hesitation, he walked into the water and floated. Then he figured it out and started paddling.
9
He swam up to this small plant and tried to duck under the leaf, but got caught on it for a few moments. We waited anxiously to see if he could get free. Then he pulled away and...
Click here to add text
He swam up to this small plant and tried to duck under the leaf, but got caught on it for a few moments. We waited anxiously to see if he could get free. Then he pulled away and...
10
...swam to the bottom ( a few inches deep). We wondered if he knew what to do. Then he blew a few bubbles and came up for air. We kept saying "He's a turtle. Turtles know what to do." And we realized he would be fine.
Click here to add text
...swam to the bottom ( a few inches deep). We wondered if he knew what to do. Then he blew a few bubbles and came up for air. We kept saying "He's a turtle. Turtles know what to do." And we realized he would be fine.
11
I rarely see turtles in the wild, but in the past few weeks I've seen three different kinds. It is such a treat to find them. One thing you can count on is that they won't zoom away before you have time to get out the camera and photograph them
7
Comments
Yes, that was a little snapper! Peter found a few this summer at the Schuylkill Center (I photographed him with them in July - my 7/15 post here). I love the wise and soulful look of these animals.
