I didn’t make it last Sunday, but I did today, as did Paul, Justin and Todd. Grady, Justin and Paul went out last Sunday, Aug 7 and did quite well. Many previously documented species were found, and most significant, the map turtle was officially documented!
Here’s Justin holding this huge female that was caught in the shallows of the river.
This baby spiny softshell was found, indicating the babies of 2005 are hatching!
The following pics are from today, Aug 14.
We found four more baby spiny softshells today in the same area we found adults in the past weeks…but no adults today and no baby smooth softshells. We are thinking the smooths may hatch a bit later. Maybe next week!
The river was low today, lower than I’ve seen it all year. This enabled us to cross and check out the opposite bank. Here Todd and Justin cross…
Paul, Todd and Justin brave the rapids.
Tracks in the sand from a snapping turtle:
A closer shot of these tracks…notice the tail trail.
More turtle tracks, these are probably from a softshell turtle.
One more pic I thought I’d throw in, from last week at Shawnee lookout…a boxie doing what they do. Luckily, I got this one across the road before the next car came along.
