Musk turtles

[dragoncjo]

Went out to one of my spotted turtle spots today. Saw about 4-6 mostly females, all were basking and my attempts to catch them were futile. However I must have stumbled upon the first day of breeding season for musk turtles. In all saw about thirty and then stopped counting, most were swimming lazily after eachother, resting on arum lilies, or laying half submerged on branches. I picked up the first two I saw and they didn't even attempt to swim away, the second one nearly swam right up to me. They clearly did not mind me being there they had better things on there minds. Here are the first two I found,


http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b197/dragoncjo/IMG_5784.jpg
Went on to another spot and along the way found this poor bastard laying on the bank. He had all the symptoms of a respitory infection, puffy eyes and foam around the mouth. I hope he dies peacefully before the raccoons get him tonight

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b197/dragoncjo/IMG_5784.jpg

Lastly I saw this guy a prothornary warbler I believe a first for me,
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b197/dragoncjo/IMG_5769.jpg
Trip totals, 6 adult spotties, tmtc red bellies and paints, about 30 musk turtles, 1 black racer and 4 osprey.

 

[Krloucks]

Sweet, love those little guys. (musk turtles) Nice pics.
k

 

[NJSnakeMan]

Awesome finds, no pics of the racer?? I've found some stuff lately but haven't got the time to post them yet.. it takes longer then usually now since i just switched back to DIAL UP after having comcast for a year and a half =/.

 

[dragoncjo]

No, the racer saw me before I saw it, once I did see it he froze for a second but by the time I changed lenses he scurried off into a cedar stream. As for the musks I normally don't get too excited about musks but seeing 30 in one day in a very small pond was truly exciting for me, these guys see to be love drunk and not at all concerned by my presence.
chris

 

[Teegate]

I missed this post. Nice photo's of the turtles! Thanks.

Guy