Slowly but surely, spring is happening whether the weather (LOL!) likes it or not. Well, I like it and there was plenty to see on the Mill Run Trail this month. And I do mean ON the trail. I had to step lightly to avoid some turtles “on the move”.
Soaking up the sun on the banks of the Speed River – drake (no, not that Drake) Mallard style Fiddleheads unfurling into fresh new fern plants.Marsh Marigolds blooming.What is May without the appearance of May Apple colonies?Trilliums and violets (and garter snake) in bloomSpeaking of snakes, remember these beauties from before? Someone looks very full and has even more friends now. According to this website, this snake bears live young, so perhaps only preggers? Still, it begs this question:Are all your family accounted for? Asking as a concerned friend…
Where my turtles at? Well, just about everywhere in May. I practically stood on a few on a recent walk.
I thought this was a smallish rock on the trail, upon first approach. Then I thought it was dead, until I noticed the fuck-you glint in its eye. Message received. Moving on…I thought this was a pebble! Toonie (Canadian 2 dollar coin) sized baby snapper, too small to effectively glare at me. The turtle pond itself hosted a couple of sunning adult snappers. These guys are also very good at looking and playing dead. I would not be so nonchalant encountering one this size on the trail. They can be quick to strike if they feel the need.
I didn’t see any adult females crossing the trail to lay eggs (only juveniles), but I think it is a bit too early for that. Perhaps for June’s Changing Seasons post…
The Changing Seasons is a monthly photo challenge hosted by the ever lovely Zimmerbitch. Please check out her blog and the other bloggers who participate!
Hah! Yes, trilobitish but even more limulus looking to me. Look that one up 😁
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I did look it up and you are probably right. Maybe it’s a distant cousin of the Trilobite.
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Wow wow wow! I LOVE the garter snake/trillium/violet shot! But that next one made me scroll by quickly! Then go back and look again. WAY too much snake there for me! I have snappers here a lot, and have seen them yearly cross my yard to lay eggs somewhere. Got a great shot of one last year up the street laying eggs. And then later we will have all sorts of smaller turtles looking for places to lay eggs, and then even later we will have some, but not many, baby turtles to help back to the pond across the street. Looks like we are about a week or so ahead of you in flowering stuff…our trilliums are basically done, we’re into wild geranium and may apples now.
I love that you are able to encounter these beauties (yes, I think snakes are beautiful too) on your walk. Do those turtles keep their tails throughout their lives?
You just had to show the snake. Not one snake, but … no, I’m not going back to count 😳
I’m happy to say that I’ve only encountered one snake so far on the trail and it scurried away faster than I did. Smart snake – it understands the unspoken rule.
I’m sending all kinds of love for the turtles though. Yesterday I saw a small one sunning on a log in a marsh, but I guess I made too much noise and it dove into the water before I even had my camera turned on.
It’s really hard to know where one snake ends and another begins, in that one photo. Happy to have captured their beauty…from a great distance. Thank you, new camera with zoom lens!!!😄
Wow!! I can’t imagine going out for a walk and seeing snakes and turtles. The turtles I’d like — the snakes not so much. I love your shot of the unfurling ferns — one of my favourite sights.
Well Spring is certainly causing the springing up of plants in your neck of the woods Deb – and all those critters out enjoying the sunshine! Lovely pics to view from my Autumn here Down Under x
I love the snakes and snappers. But I’d be worried about those turtles. Perhaps it’s best to wear good, solid boots, and avoid wearing sandals on a trail like that.
Proper footwear is a must, TG. Agreed! Although the turtles I met on the trail were too small to do much damage. More likely to BE damaged by a cyclist or someone not watching where they put their feet.
Hi Deb,
Love the springy walk and all the critters on the way. We love to canoe around our pond and commune with the others we share it with.
BUT…it’s been chilly here for far too long…ready for summer!
Hi Deb, I always find the fiddleheads perfect in their symmetry at all stages. You have been getting some great snake photos. Interesting how well the turtles are camouflaged. It is interesting for me to see other parts of Canada in the Spring:) Erica
More snakes! Indiana Jones likes snakes more than I do! I go to the zoo and make faces at them and tell them “Naa NAA ya can’t get me!” Then I flip them the bird and leave…quickly!
Hi Deb – wonderful photos … reminding me of my short time in Canada. I’ve seen a few snakes in my times overseas … but so admire them, yet they ‘worry’ me … snapping turtles would worry me too! Spring is definitely coming … we’re having a really slow one here – still I love the English Spring greening … cheers Hilary
Your turtle encounters remind me of my youth, growing up on a lake and playing along streams. Baby box turtles were so cute but few rubber backs.
That snake on the fallen tree looks like he ate something big recently.
I know Jean! Or “she” might be pregnant. I think that is also likely as these snakes bear live young instead of laying eggs.
That critter with the glint in its eyes reminds me of a Trilobite. I thought they were extinct. Good find Deb.
Leslie
Thanks Leslie. There is something very prehistoric about snapping turtles!
I don’t think this one I saw in your photos was a snapping turtle.
No? I wonder what kind it is, then.
Google Trilobite and have a look….
Hah! Yes, trilobitish but even more limulus looking to me. Look that one up 😁
I did look it up and you are probably right. Maybe it’s a distant cousin of the Trilobite.
Wow wow wow! I LOVE the garter snake/trillium/violet shot! But that next one made me scroll by quickly! Then go back and look again. WAY too much snake there for me! I have snappers here a lot, and have seen them yearly cross my yard to lay eggs somewhere. Got a great shot of one last year up the street laying eggs. And then later we will have all sorts of smaller turtles looking for places to lay eggs, and then even later we will have some, but not many, baby turtles to help back to the pond across the street. Looks like we are about a week or so ahead of you in flowering stuff…our trilliums are basically done, we’re into wild geranium and may apples now.
Thanks Dawn! That is my favourite shot too. An artful bit of staging, by nature!
I love that you are able to encounter these beauties (yes, I think snakes are beautiful too) on your walk. Do those turtles keep their tails throughout their lives?
Hi Janis, yes I think snakes are beautiful too. Yep, snappers keep those dragon-like tails all their lives.
You just had to show the snake. Not one snake, but … no, I’m not going back to count 😳
I’m happy to say that I’ve only encountered one snake so far on the trail and it scurried away faster than I did. Smart snake – it understands the unspoken rule.
I’m sending all kinds of love for the turtles though. Yesterday I saw a small one sunning on a log in a marsh, but I guess I made too much noise and it dove into the water before I even had my camera turned on.
Yay, spring!
It’s really hard to know where one snake ends and another begins, in that one photo. Happy to have captured their beauty…from a great distance. Thank you, new camera with zoom lens!!!😄
Wow!! I can’t imagine going out for a walk and seeing snakes and turtles. The turtles I’d like — the snakes not so much. I love your shot of the unfurling ferns — one of my favourite sights.
I thought of you Su, when I put the fern shot in. Glad you like it!
Yay. Thanks Deb 🙏
So many great creatures! I didn’t know snappers had tails, so guess I’ve not ever seen one!!
Yes Tracey, it makes them look so ancient, and more like dinosaurs than turtles I think 🤔
I never see turtles locally. Then again, maybe they are what I call rocks! Not a fan of snakes. Probably the Adam and Eve story!
Snakes are so reviled. So many negative connotations. I think they are lovely…from a distance 😄
Distance is key and not in my pond please.
🤣 Thanks Kate!
Well Spring is certainly causing the springing up of plants in your neck of the woods Deb – and all those critters out enjoying the sunshine! Lovely pics to view from my Autumn here Down Under x
Thank you Leanne!
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I love the snakes and snappers. But I’d be worried about those turtles. Perhaps it’s best to wear good, solid boots, and avoid wearing sandals on a trail like that.
Proper footwear is a must, TG. Agreed! Although the turtles I met on the trail were too small to do much damage. More likely to BE damaged by a cyclist or someone not watching where they put their feet.
Hi Deb,
Love the springy walk and all the critters on the way. We love to canoe around our pond and commune with the others we share it with.
BUT…it’s been chilly here for far too long…ready for summer!
Oh boy, chilly here too Nancy! So unusual.
Hi Deb, I always find the fiddleheads perfect in their symmetry at all stages. You have been getting some great snake photos. Interesting how well the turtles are camouflaged. It is interesting for me to see other parts of Canada in the Spring:) Erica
Thanks Erica! I have never seen so many snakes as this year. I’m sure they’ve always been in the pond but for some reason I missed them.
More snakes! Indiana Jones likes snakes more than I do! I go to the zoo and make faces at them and tell them “Naa NAA ya can’t get me!” Then I flip them the bird and leave…quickly!
That’s a good strategy, Don! 😜🐍🐍🐍
Hi Deb – wonderful photos … reminding me of my short time in Canada. I’ve seen a few snakes in my times overseas … but so admire them, yet they ‘worry’ me … snapping turtles would worry me too! Spring is definitely coming … we’re having a really slow one here – still I love the English Spring greening … cheers Hilary
Thanks Hilary!
It’s one of the things I love about spring is the reawakening of life =)
Yes!
Loved the turtle encounter. Snakes totally freak me out but your picture was gorgeous.
Thanks Lisa! Snakes have never bothered me too much. I went through a phase of being absolutely terrified of spiders though, so I get it. 🙂
I’m better with spiders than snakes, and surprisingly, I do pretty well with sharks.
You rule, Lisa! I don’t think I would do well coming upon a shark if I was swimming.
I don’t know. I think you are one tough cookie and that any shark should be very scared when he sees you 😉
☺️😁 Thanks Lisa!