Wednesday, June 1, 2011

~Lions, Tigers and Bears? No Snapping Turtles ~

I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Weekend. Ours was filled with a bit of rain and cool temperatures and then sunshine and wind. With the sun finally coming out the grandson and I did a walk about around the yard. He yelled, "Grandma there's a turtle in the yard, I grabbed my camera and went about taking pictures.

I ventured closer for some close up shots, thinking the turtle was dead.
His tail looks like something right out of the pre-historic days when the dinosaurs roamed the earth.
A little closer shot.
Up until I saw his head go in I still thought it was dead. I was in awe. I really think it needs a manicure. :-))
Mr. P finally walked down and asked if I had ever seen a snapping turtle up close. Let me tell you I moved back quickly. I had no idea this was a snapping turtle. To prove how quickly they can get mad and just snap, he teased it with the bottom of his shoe. This guy did not like being on it's back. His claws came out his tongue came out, his tailed started swishing back and forth, he was definitely one mad turtle. Look at the size of that open jaw.
Just as quickly he rolled back over. We left him alone for quite a while. I kept an eye on it just to see where it would go.
Look closely, you'll see him hiding under the peonies.
With the zoom on this was as close as I dared get, yes; I was a bit on the scared side. :-)
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I hope you enjoyed seeing another visitor in our yard.
May all of you have a terrific sun-filled day.

13 comments:

The Tablescaper said...

So cool. He looks like he's from the prehistoric days.

This Sunday I'm hosting a "Where do you keep it all?" party. I'd love to have you join in.

- The Tablescaper

Blondie's Journal said...

Great pictures, Lynne. I can't tell the snapping turtles from the rest so I never get too close! This guy looks a little temperamental!

XO,
Jane

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Great pics. Since feeding the turtles in Florida...I have become a turtle fan. Amazing animals.

Kristens Creations said...

Hi Lynne, I love turtles, but not mean ones! lol...Snapping turtles can be very mean, I had a baby one once and even the babies are a little mean. I have two red eared sliders right now...they are so cute! Looks like you are having a great start to your summer! Kristen

Glenda/MidSouth said...

You got closer than I would have. :D

Dolores said...

Goodness, the turtle does look like a very old pre-historic something or other. Glad he didn't snap at you!

He's camouflaged very well in the beautiful peonies ..

Hugs,

Gabriela Delworth - Instructional Designer said...

Hello,

Don't you see that this dude was smiling at you? Because it is definitely a he....


~ Gabriela ~

Jane said...

Hey Lynne!
I haven't visited in awhile...glad I did today! That is some turtle! I have never seen a snapping turtle with his jaws opened. (His face reminded me of Charles Krauthamer (sp?) on FOX news.)
Thanks for sharing these photos...and be careful, when you pick the peonies...
Jane (artfully graced)

lvroftiques said...

Oh how wonderful Lynne!!We don't have turtles around here...Not sure why, we certainly have plenty of water lol! I kept waiting to see the "snapping" picture. How fast can they possibly move? Poor little guy looked so helpless on his back. He certainly picked a perfect place to hang! Those peonies are dreamy!! Vanna

onlymehere said...

I've noticed that your weather is seemingly the same as our's lately. When we get rain, so do you, etc. Although you'd never find a turtle in our yards bz it's just too cold around here for them. How fun for you to get to see one.

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

My grandfather (a country boy) once gave me a turtle he found, for a pet..they drilled a tiny hole in his shell and tied a fishing line to it..and the turle could only go so far..and then was stopped.
To this day, I wish they had not done that. I think we finally let him go..and burrowed under the house. We moved away. But I always wondered what happened to him. He was taken from his natural invironment and put in a strange place and kept captive.

Ever since then when I see a turtle it reminds me of him. I have finally forgotten his name with old age...and maybe that's good..but the best part is that I would never do such a thing with my children. Freedom..for every living thing...if possible.

Hugs for your photo's. Good job.
Mona

Anonymous said...

I bet he had come up to lay the eggs somewhere. Every now and then Bobby G. will hook a snapper when he's out on the lake fishing. I mean to tell you some of them are huge and when mad they hiss too. :) Won't catch me swimming in that lake since I know how big the turtles are. Have a wonderful weekend. Great photos you took. Love his face! xo

Barb said...

Hi Lynne, those are great pictures. I have always loved turtles....we have a lot of them on the lake.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs, Barb