As regular readers know, I am an avid gardener. Oh, sure, I tend a few flowers and exotic potted plants. Most of my time and energy is spent (some say wasted) maintaining the traditional American lawn. It is not easy.
During one of my recent attacks on Mother Nature’s non-conformity took me to the depths of the “back 40.” Back here, it is shady and heavily forested with mature ash and black walnut trees. I was wielding a weed eater when I spotted something odd nearby.
I killed the engine and walked nearer. There on the sun dappled ground stood a large turtle. She made no effort to move. Behind her rose a small pile of moist earth. The heavy clay that passes for earth in this area can be hard as concrete.
I studied the scene for a long time before I realized I was watching a mother turtle digging a hole in which she could lay her eggs. I backed away slowly. Once I was a good distance away, I ran for the house and grabbed a camera. I snapped half a dozen shots before she moved.
I think she found the earth unsuitable for hatching a family. Maybe she thought I would poach her eggs from the nest. Who knows? She left, returning to the little creek at the end of my property. It a couple minutes, she was gone. I hope she was able to find a safe place, wherever she went.
Here are a couple photos:
Her shell is just over 12" in diameter. I'm guessing.
See, she's been digging with her back legs.
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