I was on my way to the car, when I saw this turtle. Her yellow eyes were almost bulging. I spoke to her and she just stayed in the same spot. I thought, what an opportunity to take a photograph. I went into the studio to get the camera. I took only these two photographs. I talked to her saying she best move before the neighborhood dogs come. They were barking as I spoke. I was a bit concerned for her.
She had dug a fairly deep hole next to the driveway. She is a snapping turtle. When I came home, she was gone. She had covered up her eggs. I realized as soon as I got home that I had seen a turtle laying eggs. What a miracle. What a wonder.
So,I googled to find out when the eggs will hatch and found 50 - 90 days and all sorts of other suggestions for snapping turtle eggs. This is actually the second turtle nest in the yard! Wonder of wonders, moments in the mountains never cease to provide wonders. Nature is certainly a teacher for all of us.
Cool. We had seen a similar laying, but a out 15 years ago at the end of our drive...we have a farmers pond over the hill and wetlands at the end of our property. She came from there up the hill to lay her eggs. However we did find that two of the babies ended up growing in our 4 foot deep man made pond! They grew large, tore apart our pland and ate fish because they could not ever get out and over the rock edge of our pond. We ended up draining the water and had to carefully catch them to take them back to the wetlands. Cool but fierce animals.
ReplyDeleteby the way, can't wait to get your charms!! Mine will be the little books.xo
I'll watch the nests, we have two in the yard. We have not water on the property. Across the road are some fancy watering holes.
DeleteThe charm swap was fun. It is always wonderful to receive art mail and enjoy each piece.
Such a heavenly place, your mountains.
ReplyDeleteEach day is brings something new, unexpected. I really feel like I am in a National Geographic Special.
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