Blanding’s Turtle on Massasauga Trail - August 25, 2007

IMG_1322, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

As I’m walking home from work I see this Blanding’s turtle in the middle of the trail. What a beautiful creature!

Eastern Box Turtle getting some help - July 28 2007

IMG_1206, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

As I am returning from a walk around the peninsula, I see a truck stop a few hundred yards ahead. I get up to that spot and find this male box turtle.  They were stopping to help this species of special concern get across the road.  It’s nice to see that people care enough to help when they can!

Baby Stinkpot Turtle - May 10 2007

IMG_9236, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

This little guy is only 1 inch long. Must have just hatched.  It was floating in the water near main beach on Lake Shavehead after a group of kids had just finished with canoe instruction.

Blanding’s Turtle on Hickory Trail Back of Shell - May 9 2007

Blanding’s Turtle on Hickory Trail Back of Shell, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

I’m walking to work around 7:30am and I spy this blanding’s turtle on hickory trail. I believe blanding’s are a species of special concern here in Michigan.

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.

Eastern Box Turtles Mating - April 21, 2007

Box_turtle_Mating_crop

Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

I hear some comotion as I’m walking on Marsh trail. I find these two eastern box turtles mating. The male has so much more yellow than the female. I don’t think this is always true.

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.