Things are really starting to wake up around here. It is not unusual to find the aquatic basking turtles out any time the weather warms for a few days in winter. You see them sitting on logs, soaking up the rays. What is unusual is to find the turtles that spend their winters dug in underground or in heavy leaf litter making their way out in late February and early March. It's a risky venture. What if the weather turns cold again?
The past couple of days have seen the emergence of some of our "yard" turtles. The little mud turtle in the picture below almost got itself stepped on by my big ole feet. She was out by one of the raised beds in the garden. I have a feeling she spent her winter buried in the soft dirt of the main garden.
The next turtle to make an appearance was this eastern box turtle. I recognize this one from last year. She looked to be in good shape and felt reasonably heavy for this time of year.
Soon after the first box turtle showed up and in the same area, Treebeard found this tiny little boy.
I worry most for this little one. Life for a young eastern box turtle is fraught with danger. If he can avoid becoming a tasty little snack for some predator, he has the potential for a long life but that particular "if" is a big one. They are so vulnerable at this point in their lives. Their shells are relatively soft and they can't "box" themselves up yet. Yet, if all goes well, I could be walking in my yard in some far future spring and happen upon him again. Let's hope that is the case - for both of us :~)
