Saturday, May 30, 2015

The Florida Softshell Turtle

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:

Linda Kay said...

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.

cucki said...

wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
i wish i am there too..
hugs x

Montanagirl said...

That's certainly a different looking turtle - great photos my friend!!

Susie said...

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

ann said...

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.

Linda H said...

Wow, how lucky you were to witness this! Good luck to Mama turtle for a large healthy family!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

What a great thing to see - and it is nice to know that people are trying to protect our wildlife. Happy weekend.

Diane said...

Wow, that's certainly something you don't see every day!!

Anonymous said...

isn't that amazing!

Kathy said...

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!!

sweetbriardreams said...

Isn't nature breathtaking! How lucky you were to see this happening xx

Linda said...

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.

Unknown said...

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.

Unknown said...

How neat to be able to watch her lay her eggs. Fascinating critter.

eileeninmd said...

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!

Red Rose Alley said...

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

Inspired By June said...

Really neat - I love seeing anything about turtles! Thanks for sharing!

NanaDiana said...

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

RURAL said...

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

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

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!!!

Debby said...

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.

Buttercup said...

I love city living, but I so enjoy your beautiful pictures. Thanks for bringing a little country to this city girl.

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

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!

Deanies Stash said...

How cool to see those photos of the turtle.

Hugs,
Dianne

A Colorful World said...

Wonderful! How great that you encountered her.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

It is all a beautiful process and you were so blessed to see this~

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

This was interesting ! :)

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

How cool to get so close!...

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

Great shots and good luck to Mama Turtle!
~

Dewena said...

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.

20 North Ora said...

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

cynthia lee designs said...

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

Helen Philipps said...

Wow, fascinating! How lucky you were to see this happening!
Happy week, Diane!
Helen xox

Musings from Kim K. said...

She's fascinating. Josie would have been so happy to watch her busy digging.

Carla from The River said...

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

Ariadne said...

Wow!What a strange creature to meet!AriadnefromGreece!

Deb said...

So glad to see that she's thriving and laying her eggs, good luck to all those baby turtles!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

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.

Suzan said...

Neat Critter!!!