Author Archives: JK

November Turtles

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Monday, November 17, 2008

I kayaked the Lower Carmans River several times at the start of the month. On November 1st I came across two Red-bellied Turtles. I was so surprised to see the first one that I never even tried to grab my camera. It was one of those “Wow, look at that” moments. I really hadn’t expected to see any turtles out this late in the year but there he was and there he wasn’t. He dove for cover as soon as I saw him. I guess we were both surprised. About thirty minutes later, moving more cautiously, I spied another Red-belly. This time I was ready and I got off several shots. This turtle did not seem to be bothered with my presence. (Of course I wasn’t barreling right at him from around a bend as I did with the first turtle I encountered.) When I was done taking my pics I paddled off. The turtle never stopped sunning himself. Ah, the good life.

I’d like to thank Eric Powers of Your Connection To Nature. He was instrumental in identifying the Red-bellied Turtle pictured above. Eric rocks when it comes to reptile identification. I’m not familiar with the species although I have photographed them before. It turns out that these turtles are not indigenous to our area, and like Red-eared Sliders, most are the result of home aquarium releases. That cute baby turtle at the pet store grows up and gets released into the wild only hundreds of miles from where it belongs.

I went back to the Carmans the next day. It was much colder. One day I’m out in a t-shirt and the next I’m wearing a turtleneck and a wool sweater. What I won’t do for my art and your viewing pleasure. Despite the cold, I was lucky enough to find an Eastern Painted Turtle as he basked in the sun. These beautiful turtles are native to our area. JK

Cedar Waxwings At David Weld Sanctuary

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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

This past Friday I took a walk through David Weld Sanctuary. The place has been attracting many visitors lately. I imagine the autumn colors are the reason for that. It was quiet on Friday though, and when I arrived I had the preserve to myself, which is just fine by me. Solitary walks through the woods have always been a favorite pastime for me.

It was a beautiful sunny morning and there were many birds to be seen. A great many of them were Robins who were very busy. I couldn’t ascertain what they were busy with but it involved a great deal of flitting between the branches after and with each other, and it was taking all their time. Their antics made for a very entertaining show and decent pic or two. As I was watching the Robins I noticed some birds that I was unfamiliar with. They were more subdued and retiring than the Robins but I got a few shots off.

When I got home I pulled out my Sibley’s and started flipping through the pages. My best guess was a Cedar Waxwing but, not being a birder, I really couldn’t be sure. The birds in the book seemed to be more colorful than mine, but the illustration of the juvenile was right on, even down to the yellow edging on their tails. I emailed a pic to several of my friends at Sweetbriar who are very good with bird identification. Janine, John, Nancy, and Sue (who is also with the Four Harbors Audubon Society) all confirmed my sighting. It’s always cool, getting a new critter under my belt. Thanks you guys. JK