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 TURTLES ARE SPECIAL IF YOU'D JUST HAULED HUGE PIECE OF ARMOUR UP A HUGE, STEEP, TANGLED AND OBSTACLE-FILLED BANK, ON A HOT DAY, WOULDN'T YOU TAKE A BREAK? IF YOU'RE GOING TO HELP A TURTLE, PUT HIM ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IT WAS GOING TO, NOT BACK DOWN WHERE IT CAME FROM. SOME SMALL TURTLES MAY BE 40 YEARS OLD - GIVE 'EM A BRAKE
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About Turtles
 

About Turtles

If you listen, on a spring night, can you hear the thunder of turtle feet?

I went to the local eco fair early on in my arrival here. It was just a newly-staged event, called "Eco Fest". It was put on by a local couple, who, with friends, combined a lot of elements to produce two years of excellent fun and educational focus. The work and possibly other factors, got too much, so the event was merged into the larger venue at Perth, the "Stewart Park Festival."

There were all manner of presentation. Music, canoe tours up the river, and presenters, who spoke of a multitude of things. Among the topics was turtles.

Now, we may or may not be aware of turtles. We see them, if we are watchful, at the pond side, or at the road side. But what truly made me stagger was that one presenter had his little "spotted turtle" for something like fifteen years or more. He proceded to tell us that this little turtle, whose size was not much bigger than a man's hand, was about forty years old. Forty years old!

THIS TURTLE ASKS " WHERE CAN I DIG A NEST SITE? "?
SEARCHING FOR SOFT NESTING SAND

Snapping turtles can move quickly, and their jaws are powerful. But they're not out to get you.

TURTLES AT THE ROADSIDE ARE TRYING TO LAY EGGS. JUST LIKE ICE FISHING. TRY ANOTHER SPOT, 'TIL IT'S RIGHT. IT'S HARD WORK!
TEST PITS, FOR THE RIGHT NESTING SPOT

They'd rather avoid you. This long photo shows a snapper looking for soft earth in which to lay her eggs. And there it is, provided by the municipality. That's why theyre near or on the road. After the laying season you seldom see them. So, don't harrass them.

Well, I could hardly believe my ears. But the man also had a presentation of a group of active folk who are gradually trying to bring signage to the roadways. These signs are to advise motorists that they are approaching a turtle crossing area.

The presenter asked the question "Now, if you had just climbed up a steep bank, wearing a huge armour unit, lumbering awkwardly over and among rocks, trees, etc., and you got to a level spot that was clear, what would YOU do? You'd rest, wouldn't you? That's what turtles do." It was something to ponder, which I'd not thought about before.

MAMMA SNAPPING TURTLE, TIPPED UP, IN SAND TO LAY EGGS, NEAR SNOW ROAD STATION, ONTARIO, CANADA
THE RIGHT NESTING SPOT FOUND, TIPPED UP, TAKING THE TIME TO LAY THE EGGS

With just a little space given here, I am trying to draw attention to the migratory and nesting routes of animals like deer, and turtles. They are ancient, and they cross our roadways. Our vehicles are the main killers of turtles. They are a part of the wonder of our world. How old is that snapper? Give turtles a lease on life. steer around them. Don't put them back near the water. The turtle may have just come from there, and will climb right back up. Put it where it seemed to be heading, or leave it alone. But get it off the roadway, please.

LET 'EM LIVE! TURTLE'S ARE SPECIAL. JUST ASK ONE. GIVE 'EM A BRAKE
ADVENTURE - IT'S OUR NATURE