Not too bad a day. Went to check on turtles at a study site, and found a new male wood turtle. I was surprised to find anything, but after wading along the a creek, I scanned the bank to look for any box turtles emerging from hibernation, and this guy was sprawled out amongst the leaves. These pics were after I grabbed him for measurements and notch codes.
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Hudson Valley, NY
Matt Harris
Apr 01, 2006 02:50 PM
Replies (9)
Matt Harris
Apr 01, 2006 02:51 PM
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antelope
Apr 01, 2006 10:07 PM
Matt, that's really cool! Not a lot of turtles to choose from here but when I get a photo of the green sea turtles and Kemp's ridley's from Port Aransas I'll post 'em!
Todd Hughes
Matt Harris
Apr 02, 2006 01:18 PM
Cool. I've only seen 4 (wild) sea turtles in my life....The first was a Loggerhead while night diving in the keys in 1994. Two were Olive Riddleys floating on the surface in the Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica in April 2005 while doing crocodile surveys, and then another Olive Riddley nesting on Playa Carate, Peninsula de Osa, Costa Rica in August 2005.
MCH
Matt Harris
Apr 01, 2006 02:52 PM
..oddly his left from leg was just a stub, missing all of his claws.
Matt Harris
Apr 01, 2006 02:53 PM
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pregilla
Apr 01, 2006 03:12 PM
Very nice!
What about wood turtles are you studying?
Mike
Matt Harris
Apr 01, 2006 04:58 PM
Right now, just determining actual numbers in this area. Actually, the wood turtles are just an offshoot of the primary focus, which is determining the box turtle population at the site. Primarily trying to determine the numbers in the area, m/f ratios, ranges, and tracking via radiotelemetry, etc. I'm just assisting another lady who is actually doing the study.
CarlKoch
Apr 01, 2006 05:35 PM
I'm hoping to see my first in the wild here in Wisconsin this spring. Thanks for sharing! BTW, how does one get hooked up with a study like that?
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Carl
Matt Harris
Apr 01, 2006 05:49 PM
I'm not sure to tell you the truth...it was pure coincidence for me. I met the lady through one of our DEC officers when I was an officer for our local herp society and she simply needed volunteers. I would search your local colleges or DNR and see if they need volunteers. The data also goes to supplment the NY Herp Atlas.
Although, as you may know, when its time to monitor Blanding's nesting...it can make for some late nights with little sleep and the next day at the office, can be a real drag!!
Matt
