WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Every evening, I go to the pond to feed the creatures. It started out feeding the geese. Before I knew it, I was feeding the entire pond. Zillions of fingerlings come to the edge of the pond to eat the leftovers. They even beat the geese there now. The larger fish stay back a few feet, but make sure and get their share too. Then the turtles became bolder. There are many different species and all have distinct personalities. Who knew? This one is the boldest now. Covered in pond sediment, it swims mostly around the geese feet and the geese trip all over it. I thought the turtles might bite the geese, but it is the other way around.


















Mmmmm. Fish pellets or chili relleno?

These are the fingerlings. Now, start the Jaws theme song...
Here comes trouble. This Snapping turtle doesn't want bread or fish food. It only likes live fish - creeps closer with its long alligator tail and waits, then - SNAP. These really are ugly creatures.

Oh well, this one is too cute and decides to go back and bother the goose.
This is what I do for fun on the farm.

SOUP?

This is a young Alligator Snapping Turtle making his way from the creek across the field to a small pond. It is probably several years old, but a young one since they can live over a hundred and fifty years. This one is about 18 inches from head to tail. Its tail alone is about 6" long with stegosaurus-like plates along it. Its head is massive; as big around as my wrist and extends out a whopping 6". It is also very wary. Its eyes rotated like a chameleon's and watched my every move. I stood still, but as long as I was close or moved an inch, it wouldn't move. I must have waited 45 minutes for these shots. Notice the sharp edges at the tail end of his shell.

When I backed away it began to move again. I had to hide behind a red cedar.

I am lying on the ground to get these shots hoping I wasn't being eaten up by chiggers. I did get three ticks. What I do for you guys.

He quickly went under and watched me; froze in that position. Snapping turtles can weigh over 200 pounds. Can you imagine? I tried to pick up one once (a little bigger than this one) and though I'm not afraid of much anything, I jumped back pretty fast when it turned around in an instant. They can move like lightning unlike the slower box turtles. They also let out a low hiss or growl - much like the sound an alligator makes. I'm quite sure this one could bite toes and fingers off. They are so cute when they are hatchlings, but really ugly when they get big.