Miss Grumpy
Jun 17, 2018 12:37:27 #
A face only a mother could love... and a real bad attitude.
Found halfway up the dam wall, apparently on her way back to the lake after an intensive egg-laying session. She didn't seem to appreciate my help to get up that steep slope, but I could see by all the scrabble marks that she had made several failed attempts. Eventually after some gentle support at the back of her shell (and plenty of hissing and snapping from the front end), she allowed herself to be wheel-barrowed slowly up the dam to the top (best way to move a snapping turtle, don't EVER pick them up by the tail, or get anywhere near that mouth!). From there, she was very capable of getting traction with all four of those stumpy legs and it took her just a few seconds to lever herself over the low concrete lip and splosh back in the lake.
Found halfway up the dam wall, apparently on her way back to the lake after an intensive egg-laying session. She didn't seem to appreciate my help to get up that steep slope, but I could see by all the scrabble marks that she had made several failed attempts. Eventually after some gentle support at the back of her shell (and plenty of hissing and snapping from the front end), she allowed herself to be wheel-barrowed slowly up the dam to the top (best way to move a snapping turtle, don't EVER pick them up by the tail, or get anywhere near that mouth!). From there, she was very capable of getting traction with all four of those stumpy legs and it took her just a few seconds to lever herself over the low concrete lip and splosh back in the lake.
Jun 17, 2018 13:50:32 #
Jun 17, 2018 16:23:29 #
Jun 17, 2018 17:38:31 #
Jun 17, 2018 20:12:12 #
Gee, I was expecting Miss Grumpy to be a cute picture of a little girl pouting!!! Well, you helped this female and she may/may not have been happy about it. It would be hard to tell if she appreciated it. What would a smiling turtle look like? Or would she wag her tail? -- Jackie
Jun 17, 2018 23:36:40 #
Thanks All, for your kind comments.
I’m also not sure what a smiling turtle would look like, but she did seem to perk up and stop hissing at me, when she was finally at the top of the dam and looking at the lake. My good deed for the day.
I’m also not sure what a smiling turtle would look like, but she did seem to perk up and stop hissing at me, when she was finally at the top of the dam and looking at the lake. My good deed for the day.
Jun 18, 2018 10:19:20 #
Jun 18, 2018 12:02:21 #
ebbote wrote:
Very good set.
Thanks! I love my Spring and early Summer walks in WI; so many of nature’s wonders to photograph, in such a beautiful variety of locations. Within one sixty minute drive, I can shoot at a lake so large it feels like an ocean, poke around in old growth, hillside forest for close range opportunities, wander the banks of a large river shooting TOO, or stalk carefully through tight undergrowth bordering fast flowing streams.
Also, the only place in the world, where I can drive right around Belgium, Luxembourg, Denmark, and stop for a beer in Brussels, in one hour!
😀
Jun 18, 2018 13:14:13 #
Jun 18, 2018 13:19:06 #
Great shots. Snapping Turtles indeed all types seem to have previously traveled routes burned into their memory bank.. We have had them bumping into our front door trying to get the pond on the other side of our house and also coming back. Always try to give them a hand back to the pond. Don't want some youngster on the way to school or returning to tangle with one. 
Jun 18, 2018 14:11:19 #
Jun 18, 2018 18:44:47 #
marsdad wrote:
Great shots. Snapping Turtles indeed all types se... (show quote)
Yep, if you don’t know what you are doing it’s easy to misjudge how long that telescoping neck is... and then the kids at school have a new nickname for you... “Freddy Four Fingers”.
This particular young lady chose a heavy rainfall day to make her trip back. I’m sure on a dry surface she would be able to make it up that dam bank no trouble, but judging by all the scratch and slide marks, that wet & grassy 1 in 3 slope was just too much for her.
Jun 18, 2018 23:38:48 #
I think she's lovely, and good for you for giving her a boost. How big is she?
BTW Your photos are very nice.
BTW Your photos are very nice.
Jun 19, 2018 00:35:16 #
vicksart wrote:
I think she's lovely, and good for you for giving her a boost. How big is she?
BTW Your photos are very nice.
BTW Your photos are very nice.
I guess around 25 pounds, still quite a youngster (they can live more than 100 years and weigh over 50 pounds). I think she’s cute too. I like lots of animals that most people think are ugly, mainly because I’m the ugliest animal I know.
And lastly, thanks very much, I’m glad you like my photos. I enjoy the challenge of “capturing the truth in light”, and It’s good to know that others appreciate my (sometimes, very) different perspective on photography.
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