T is for Turtles #AtoZChallenge

I regularly walk down to a trail in the Village that follows the Speed River all the way to another town.

In the summer, I also regularly encounter turtles on this walk. Many, many turtles.

Some are actually on the trail.

Snapping turtle on path
Head on (in?) view. Likely a female, heading off to lay eggs or coming back from the same.

But most of the turtles I see are sunning themselves on logs and branches in the water. On the river, or in a pond across the trail from the river.

Only 2 on this log. I have seen up to half a dozen crammed here at one time.
Close up of painted turtle

And there are lots of turtles to be seen under the water as well, if you stand still and focus on small movements on the surface.

Two turtles in the pond.

I just love seeing these ancient-looking creatures on my walks. I usually stop counting at around 40.

Indigenous people believe the 13 moons of the lunar calendar are represented by the sections on the turtle’s shell.

I feel blessed to be living in such a turtle-rich area.

Is there a wild creature in your area that you just love to see each summer?

Rock on,

The WB

Can you guess my theme for this year’s A-Z Challenge? All of my A-Z posts this month will be tied into my theme, which is represented by the title of a song that was popular when I was a child. Can you figure it out as the days (and posts) go by? Leave your guesses (one per day only, please) in the comments. At the end of the challenge, I will reveal the theme. Have fun!

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12 thoughts on “T is for Turtles #AtoZChallenge

  1. Turtles, as you know from the Profound Journey logo, are my creature too. And not just sea turtles, but all turtles. There are at least two ancient snapping turtles in my pond. Their shells are the size of steering wheels. They lay on the dock in the sun, and lay their eggs on the hill above the pond. I’ve been able to watch the hatchlings head for the water which is such a delight.
    There are ‘turtle crossing’ signs on the roads around here, as I suspect there are at your place. Lots of people carry turtle sticks in their cars to move the turtles out of harm’s way. I love that I live in a community that cares about turtles.

    1. No turtle crossing signs here but I have seen them in other areas.
      Apparently a beaver made it’s way downtown on Saturday night (and became the talk of Facebook) so perhaps beaver crossing signs are in order. 🙂
      That is very cool, to be able to watch the hatchlings – I’d love to see that. I did once see a snapper laying eggs and wouldn’t you know it: it was one of the rare occasions I left my camera at home!!!!

  2. Jean R.

    I grew up on lake and played in a stream coming out of the lake. Turtles were a part of very day life for me as a kid. I love seeing them even thought I don’t often here in the city. When I started dating my husband he stopped his car once to move a turtle off the road and I know, then, that he was a great guy who cared for wildlife.

  3. Don

    I visit her grave 1st thing every morning, around 7am. It is not uncommon for me to see deer there (eating her flowers dammit), which is strange considering I am in the city limits of NYC.

    1. I used to see deer in my backyard of my old house (in the middle of town) and also in the city park just a few steps away. They are everywhere and they are hungry!

  4. We took a long walk tonight, following the river in town and ended up in a quiet corner near the bridge, where 3 benches sat waiting. As we watched, we saw a huge beaver swimming in the river towards his dam. So peaceful. It reminds me that I can “do life” for another day!

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