Eastern Box Turtle - May 6 2007

Eastern Box Turtle, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

I don’t usually find that many turtles on turtle hill, but this one is just calmly staying in place as I take a Sunday afternoon stroll. There’s so much pattern variation is turtle shells.

Map Turtle at Long Lake - April 22, 2007

Map Turtle at Long Lake

Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

Found this map turtle on a canoe trip to Long Lake here in Cass county Michigan.

Wetland Burn - April 19, 2007

Wetland_Burn_April_20_2007 006Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

Here’s the wetland burn as viewed by the lower flat. We’re hoping that this burn will help reduce the shrubing in that occurs in wetland areas when there isn’t regular fires to keep them in check.

Here’s an Eastern Box Turtle who seems to have weathered the burn.

Special thanks to all the people that made this burn possible:

• Porter Township Fire Department
• Michigan DNR
• Michigan Natural Features Inventory
• Landowner Incentive Program
• Shavehead Lake Neighbors who came to our burn informational meeting and were very supportive of this project.
• Camp’s Natural Resources Task Force
• and our prescribed burn contractor Dave Mindell, owner of Plant Wise

See more wetland burn photos.

Swan with many turtles in fen - March 30 2007

 

Just beyond the muskrat swimming towards me are the many turtles(likely painted) on this log is the fen. A swan decided to join them on this warm sunny day.

Eastern Box Turtle in the Camp’s Fen- March 27 2007

IMG_7892Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.As I stop to get down on my knees to get a picture, I look to my left and see this Eastern box turtle hinding under some leaves. I’m amazed how much can be discovered if I just stop and pay attention.

Eastern box turtle can live to be over 100 years old.

Rattlesnake Massasauga

Rattlesnake Massasauga

Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

Here’s our yearly early springtime visit from one of Michigan’s species of special concern the massasauga rattlesnake. It’s good to see that a few are still surviving.

 I’ve heard it said that these pit vipers may actually be able to “see” heat footprints of animals as they pass.

Mating Garter Snakes near nature center March 22 2007

Mating Garter Snakes near nature center March 22 2007Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

Tis the season. These garter snakes are behind the nature center near the open water of the fen. It’s interesting how much bigger the female is compared with the male.

Blandings Turtle March 20 2007

Blandings Turtle March 20 2007

Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

As I am looking for a rattlesnake, I here splashes in the water one of camp’s vernal ponds. And here is the one remaining blanding’s turtle. This is may first blanding’s sighting of the year.

Garter Snake - Massasauga Trail - Oct 8 2006

This garter snake on Massasauga trail is also enjoying this warm sunny day.
 

Small Map Turtle & Large Northern Water Snake July 2006

Nature Photos July 2006 211Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

Canoeing in Saint Joseph County Michigan I spot these two creatures(small map turtle & northern water snake) just relaxing in the noon day sun. They are uneffected by the canoe that is only a few few from their log.