Turtle And A Hognose

[Teegate]

All,

We went out today to look for new locations of Morning Glory, and on the way we stumbled on this male box turtle. However, the shell was the most featureless shell I have ever viewed. It was a fiesty one and even tried to bite me. Jessica was thinking it was not a box because of the shell.

One of the places we passed through today. This is at Rider Switch along the JCRR at the Batsto RR bridge. I have photos from this very location taken by me around 1975 to 1978. We spent quite a bit of time here back then. One of my friends who spent time there with me passed away many years ago. I stood there while Jessica walked around remembering the good times that has somehow been almost 50 years ago. The place has really changed along the tracks. Not for the good unfortunately.

I made a Then & Now many years ago and maybe will add another "Now" to it and post it.

We then traveled a half hour and walked a trail for 15 minutes and returned. On the way back walking the same route I saw this juvenile hognose snake. It was so hard to see it may have been there on our first pass by.

Here is a video of the snake. I was zooming in as far as I could go and I shake somewhat holding the camera. I don't carry a tripod.

It has a really funky way of moving. It is in 4K.

Click Here For Juvenile Hognose Snake

 

[dragoncjo]

Guy I’m guessing that box turtles has spent ample time in a bog with lots of iron in it. It’s likely a very old box turtle.

 

[Teegate]

Guy I’m guessing that box turtles has spent ample time in a bog with lots of iron in it. It’s likely a very old box turtle.

We may be in that iron tomorrow.

 

[Teegate]

He might have been old but it could move.

 

[Teegate]

Saw a crushed hognose on a paved road in the pines today. I thought it was a timber but was told otherwise. I have not had time to examine my photos.

 

[Teegate]

Was at Quarter Mile today and the water is still deep in some of the puddles. So while some places are dry there is water around. It is still too early in the year it seems to be really dry like last year.

Cleared away the vegetation somewhat from the lone white orchid we see there every year.

And like the last two years we flushed up a nighthawk that again pretended to be injured trying to steer us away from its young. Usually we find two eggs but this year we found one fuzzy fledgling. Maybe not quite a fledgling

 

[dragoncjo]

Your he box turtle is a she Guy. She is probably stuffed with eggs and that is why she was feisty and energetic. They can’t sit still just before egg laying.

 

[Teegate]

The bottom of the shell was indented like a male and that is why I said male. I am not an expert on determining them.

 

[dragoncjo]

That’s usually pretty accurate guy. The back of the carapace and small tail and behavior made me think male. Either way it’s always nice seeing them and never gets old.

 

[RednekF350]

He might have been old but it could move.

View attachment 22887

Looks like he just dumped the clutch and is doing a wheelie out of there.

 

[Teegate]

This one is a female. Flat bottom and the eyes are not bright orange. It was much calmer as well. Who would have guessed

It also has the faded colors and is from the same general area as the one above.

 

[Teegate]

Have seen more turtles this year than all of last. One on Carranza road we moved to the side and the other near Sandy Ridge.

 

[Pinesbucks]

Seems to be an influx of turtles this year. Had to go around 2 of stage road last weekend. Both instances person in front of me pulled over to help them get across faster.

 

[66C10]

Seems to be an influx of turtles this year. Had to go around 2 of stage road last weekend. Both instances person in front of me pulled over to help them get across faster.

Funny you say that, just 5 minutes ago I went around a large turtle crossing the road.

 

[imkms]

Seems to be an influx of turtles this year. Had to go around 2 of stage road last weekend. Both instances person in front of me pulled over to help them get across faster.

Also seems to be an awful lot of chipmunks this year as well.

 

[dragoncjo]

It’s interesting you mentioned chipmunks. When I first bought by house there was a ton of them. Then all a sudden they died off and I guess it was an increase in predators. This past week I saw one for the first time in 4 years or so. Same for my folks house in barrington.

Regarding the turtles they are all out laying eggs. It’s nice to know someone crossed them, my hero.

 

[Teegate]

View attachment 22895

View attachment 22896

I am now leaning towards this bird being a whip-poor-will and not a nighthawk.

 

[Teegate]

Was roaming again today and came up empty. We did visit a nice wet area for the second time in 5 or so years.

Two weeks ago we were walking a path and ran into two men and I recognized one of them. I told him who I was and said a few more words and continued on. They were walking in the direction we came from so they were heading towards my car. When we returned home later in the day I noticed my lens cap was missing. We returned the next day and could not find it. Later that evening the man we met wrote me and asked if the cap was mine. He had found it somewhat near my car but was uncertain if it was mine.

I asked him to leave it somewhere the next time I was in the area and this week he sent me detailed photos on where he had placed it. We arrived early and it was right where he said it would be. I already thanked him and I don't think he visits this site, however, I want to thank him again for going out of his way to return it.