
At the end of the 'work' day I often take one or more of the dogs for a run in the pasture - Ruby's getting fairly heavy with pups now but as everyone knows, our dogs are no delicate flowers - so off Ruby careened into the pasture to run and jump and swim. I was following behind, enjoying the intoxicating scent of plum and apple blossoms, daydreaming as is often my wont. As I came up over a little rise near where I often fish and where there also happens to be a little cattail swamp, Ruby was intently snuffling, tail wagging practically off her body. "What's up?" I ask. She looks up, a grin on her face, delighted to show me what treasure she'd uncovered. And what was this?? An ENORMOUS snapping turtle - about as big a turtle as I've ever seen here, her head the size of a softball, her great thick tail evident. "Whoa, Nellie! Let's go!" We wandered away from this old mama turtle and I ran to get my camera but alas, she had gone back under the wet canes and will doubtless reappear later this evening to lay eggs.
While I had the camera in hand, I did get a pix of Mr. Beautiful - remember, he's only 2 years old - next year we'll see the long and beautiful tail.