For the love of turtles...

For the love of western pond turtles, we hauled this big old log from the top of the hill to the pond at the bottom of the hill.  Trying to provide the three turtles with a spot where they can get some sun, yet be safe from predators.

One log didn't seem to be enough, so we hauled in a branch of an old fallen apple tree. Hopefully, the two together will be stable enough to provide the three turtles with safe sunning habitat.

Western Pond Turtle Day Spa

This was one of those things on the "to do" list that seems like it should take about an hour.
In actuality, takes the whole morning. But feels good to have it done.

Next thing on the list:   Blackberry Ketchup. The recipe is linked.  
So yummy!

It's A Great Day!!

Mr. Shoulder-to-the-Grindstone has taken the day to go hike a mountain, 

giving me a much needed gift of solitude.  

I definitely need my alone time. 

The first thing I did was get on the 4-wheeler, take a chair, and head down to the big pond.

 Trying to capture a couple of western pond turtles on film. 

Not the best picture, but I got them.

Western Pond Turtles 

As soon as they saw me, into the water they went.  

I waited about an hour but they didn't come back to shore.  

Mother's Day Self-Portrait: Waiting For Turtles

The sun was shining, red-winged blackbirds were singing. 

My little bit of heaven. 

That's a red-winged blackbird that just happened to fly into the pond picture.

Then, hark, what did I hear destroying my peaceful revelry?
The brazen trumpeting of the insidious, invasive, bullfrog.

Bad Baby-Turtle Eating Bullfrog

I am hoping that Fish and Wildlife or the Soil and Water Conservation District will be interested in helping to eradicate the bullfrogs in order to save turtle babies.

May your day be filled with sunshine and turtle sightings! 

No bullfrogs!