We were so happy to see this Mama softshell turtle digging a nest to lay her eggs when we walked along a pretty marshy area at Fort Cooper State Park.
We were able to get close for a good view.
Okay...maybe she's not very pretty and we should back out again! haha
Here's a roped off area next to where she was digging. I guess she didn't know she was supposed to dig in a specified spot!
You can see the path she has taken and that she is starting to dig in these pics.
I found more info on Wikipedia HERE. "The turtle is almost entirely aquatic, only emerging from the water to bask or to lay eggs. It prefers the still waters of ponds, streams, lakes, and swamps. Like
all softshells, it is very fast-moving in water and on land."
Here's a view of the pond she came out of.
We love visiting our State Parks!
You can always see something you've never seen before.
I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE.
39 comments:
The turtles and their trek out of the water to lay their eggs is always an interesting phenomenon. We used to have these from the hard shell turtles on a lot near us, but other critters would often get to the eggs before they could hatch.
wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
i wish i am there too..
hugs x
That's certainly a different looking turtle - great photos my friend!!
Diane, It's good to learn about things as we see them...I think it sticks with us more. Too funny about the roped off area. Blessings for a beautiful weekend, xoxo,Susie
Pretty neat. She must be a fresh water turtle. It is fun to meet new wildlife. Reaffirms our notion that the Man has not totally destroyed everything. Love your walks.
Wow, how lucky you were to witness this! Good luck to Mama turtle for a large healthy family!
What a great thing to see - and it is nice to know that people are trying to protect our wildlife. Happy weekend.
Wow, that's certainly something you don't see every day!!
isn't that amazing!
What a treat to see! I have heard we have wild turtles here in Oregon but I have never managed to spot one. Lucky you!!
Isn't nature breathtaking! How lucky you were to see this happening xx
Turtles sure do go on a long trek to lay their eggs. Yesterday we came across on in the middle of a parking lot, not sure which way she was heading and wondered if we should help her back to the other side of the path where the water was. An elderly lady was watching and she was so worried the turtle would get hit by a car that we did end up moving it back to the grass verge on the other side of the parking lot. She did scurry away, well as fast as turtles can scurry, down towards the water.
Sjhe looks so different then the turtles we have here. She really dragged herself a long way from the pond!! I love seeing critters from different parts of the country (world). Thank you for sharing.
How neat to be able to watch her lay her eggs. Fascinating critter.
Hello Diane, The Softshell Turtle seem weird to me. They have funny looking snouts or faces. I agree the State Parks are great to visit and you always seem to see something there. Great shots. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend!
A very interesting mama turtle and info about her. Her face is different than the ones I see around here. Turtles fascinate me, they are so BIG, but slow going. :~)
Have a pleasant weekend, Diane.
~Sheri
Really neat - I love seeing anything about turtles! Thanks for sharing!
Amazing, aren't they? I think it's funny that they move FAST in water or on land. Who thinks of a turtle as moving fast? lol xo Diana
She's a beaut that's for sure. What a cool thing to come across, and wonderful to know that she is laying eggs. I hope that they all hatch, the world needs more turtles, and it's a hard start for them.
Jen
Well beauty is in the eye of the beholder-- apparently another turtle liked her lol! It's FREEZING here--raining and windy. 40's tonight!! I can't wait to move South with you!!!
Soft shelled turtles, I never knew. Not very pretty but I like her attitude that she will dig where she wants. Your camera is taking great pictures.
I love city living, but I so enjoy your beautiful pictures. Thanks for bringing a little country to this city girl.
It must be wonderful to have places like to visit close to your home. I saw the tire tracks she crossed and hoped she didn't decided to dig right there and depostit her eggs..goodness!
How cool to see those photos of the turtle.
Hugs,
Dianne
Wonderful! How great that you encountered her.
It is all a beautiful process and you were so blessed to see this~
This was interesting ! :)
How cool to get so close!...
Great shots and good luck to Mama Turtle!
~
What a privilege to actually see these turtles! I've read so much about them in books and am glad that much is being done for preservation of them.
We used to sponsor Tiff's ROTC trips and we went to Florida every year for Nationals in Daytona Beach. It was so odd because, you were told at the front when you checked in not to open your curtains at night or go out on the beach because they turtles were laying their eggs at that time.
Judy
How cool that you got to get so close to the turtle!! I remember seeing one many years ago, when we were on vacation in Florida.
~Cindy
Wow, fascinating! How lucky you were to see this happening!
Happy week, Diane!
Helen xox
She's fascinating. Josie would have been so happy to watch her busy digging.
Hi,
I love learning from you. It is fun for me to share all this with my boys too. We need to plan a trip to Florida. :-)
Carla
Wow!What a strange creature to meet!AriadnefromGreece!
So glad to see that she's thriving and laying her eggs, good luck to all those baby turtles!
You got great pictures of her ... I suppose the one we saw was looking for a place to make her nest ... I hope she found one somewhere further off the road.
Neat Critter!!!
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