"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

"Gather ye rose-buds while ye may." Robert Herrick

Hello Friends!

Friends, Romans, countrymen...y'all. Foodies, gardeners, artists and collectors - let's gather together to share and possibly learn a thing or two in the mix.

Donna Baker

Friday, August 26, 2016

Turtle Time


If you have followed my blog for long, you know I am Mother Nature; feed just about all creatures.  Gammera and his wife remain at the farm pond, though I have thought about bringing them to the city lake.  You'll have to type in Snapping Turtle at the top left of the page to see posts of Gammera.  Anyway, the lake we have out back is full of water turtles.  They line up on rocks or land or logs to sun during the day.  As you can see, I still don't know how to crop my photos or anything relating to pictures.


They have terrific eyesight and jump into the water when you get too near them, but always arrive before the fish when there is food in the mix as they are quite the scavengers of the waterways. Won't be long before they dig down in the mud and hibernate till spring. Some of these guys are as big around as a peach basket.  Others not so much.  This smaller one decided to swim over to watch me watch him.

36 comments:

Frances said...

Fun to see these cool swimmers, Donna. I also like the color of that blue water. I wish I could be there splashing around.

I'm wondering if your water turtles are the same species as those i see over in Central Park. Maybe i will be able to find out by checking with some Park employees, or turtle fans.

Happy weekend! xo

donna baker said...

Turtles in the big city? I wonder how they got around in all that traffic to get to the lake? Some of these are Red-Earred Sliders. Haven't seen any snappers yet. Hope your weekend is a good one too Frances.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Lucky you to have turtles.

donna baker said...

They are so interesting Pat. They'll eat just about anything, even dead animals.

Joanne Noragon said...

What if I told you your pictures are well framed; fore, middle and back ground. If you won't take credit, let's say the turtles know how to pose. They certainly are fun creatures to know.

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

I love that you have so many animal "friends". Those turtles are wonderful to look at. They can get very big, can't they? Sometimes we see them crossing the road, but not at much as we used to. -Jenn

donna baker said...

I just haven't ever learned to do photoshop or whatever it is called. With the Mac, I am still trying to learn everything as I have always previously used Windows.

donna baker said...

Being alone in the country for so long, I had to keep busy and have always loved nature. The land turtles lie on the roads for digestion in the country and subsequently get run over. I believe they are on the decline. The 'old ones' believed turtles were bad for nature and killed them and snakes whenever they could. Glad you came by for a visit.

Frances said...

I suspect that some park ranger introduced turtles into the lake and ponds of Central Park,years ago, and the little swimmers just loved the location and decided to stay and raise families. The only traffic they encounter are ducks, and occasionally geese or a traveling water bird like a heron.

The turtles are fun to watch! xo

Bea said...

They do look pretty sturdy! Our lake turtles, in comparison, are pretty dinky. When I say 'our', I mean the city park turtles, actually. :)

jerilanders said...

Hello Mother Nature, I am your sister, mother nature II. Snapping turtles are such stinkers, but I love em too!

angryparsnip said...

awwwwww I love your post today.
I rather like the first photo cropped or not. I like seeing how big they are next to other things. Plus it is a lovely photo.
Love the little one who was brave enough to come up to see you. Could be a sweet friendship.

cheers, parsnip and thehamish

A Brit in Tennessee said...

What an entertaining bunch, I've always loved to see turtles, just not swimming in the lake with those snappers...
~Jo

Elephant's Child said...

Turtles? Oh wow. Another thing I haven't seen in a very long time. Colour me a bit jealous.
Love that first photo in particular - which needs no cropping.

ellen abbott said...

I have a pet red ear slider. she's about 27 years old. my son brought her hbowm when he was 10, scavenged out of a pond on a gold course, when she was about the size of a 50 cent piece. he grew up and moved out. the turtle stayed. now she lives in a 600 gallon stock tank in my backyard.

Mary said...

Donna, you need to use PicMonkey - basic is free, then you can graduate to Royale if you want for a small annual fee. That, and iPhoto, is all I use for editing - no patience left these days to learn Photoshop and such! You will love PicMonkey I assure you.

Always loved seeing the turtles lined up on logs in the water.

helen tilston said...

Hello Donna,

You have a beautiful family of turtles and all look so content and well fed. They must amuse you.
Thanks for sharing
Have a super weekend

Helenxx

La Table De Nana said...

I know you LOVE animals..shows such a tender heart!

elaine said...

Oh Donna - we are so alike, I find all animals fascinating and love to watch them. Don't the turtles eat the fish in the pond, and what about the ducklings, are they safe.

donna baker said...

Wonder what kind they are....

donna baker said...

Yes Sister, we are both Mother Nature. I am just always amazed how the animals have personalities, can tell time etc. I watch the people feed the fish across the pond on a timed feeding system. The fish know when it's time to eat and jump up out of the pond en masse.

donna baker said...

Even the aggressive snappers (Gammera) become friendly after a while.

donna baker said...

Gammera has come within inches of my feet, while his wife remains more reticent.

donna baker said...

I would have imagined giant sea turtles in OZ. I guess I just need to learn how to do the photo things.

donna baker said...

Well, I can't believe that Ellen. The sliders seem more skittish than the rest. Is yours' tame? Does it hibernate? I see those littles and have found quarter sized ones that the cats dragged in.

donna baker said...

Well thank you Mary. I am going to try that soon says me of little faith. I just have the hardest time learning anything techie, but I am going to learn. I typed in something on google and they say just do this and that and then I'm lost. I do love your photography.

donna baker said...

Oh Helen, I hope your weekend is wonderful. I do love hearing from you.

donna baker said...

Aw Monique. I wish I could have studied it in college and I would never have had to work a day.

donna baker said...

They do eat the fish and gulp, sometimes the ducklings, but it is just Father Nature's fault I guess.

Shel said...

Love your blog and your pics are beautiful.

donna baker said...

Thank you Shel. Back at ya.

Sandra Cox said...

OMG, that picture looks perfect. I love seeing the lineup of turtles and your flowers are so pretty.

donna baker said...

Sandra, thank you so much. I've been working out there today with the loppers and yes, nearly took a dive in the pond, but landed on my butt instead. Quite a smashed area where I landed.

Deborah Nolan said...

Dear Donna I have never seen so many turtles in one place as your beautiful photo shows. What a treat! Your pond looks lovely- what a spot to just celebrate mother nature at her finest. Hugs!

donna baker said...

Back at you Deb. I do so love the ponds and water creatures. A Great Blue Heron has been coming around and I would love to get pictures of it. It eats rather large perch and swallows them whole.

Deborah Nolan said...

Dear Donna I have never seen so many turtles in one place as your beautiful photo shows. What a treat! Your pond looks lovely- what a spot to just celebrate mother nature at her finest. Hugs!