Snapping turtles

Living rural as we do, we see a lot of different "critters." This week brought a snapping turtle out of the local "swamp." She decided to lay her eggs next to our lane. 

The fact that she's laying eggs must mean she has a Mr. Turtle stashed somewhere in the swamp with her. 

Our swamp is really just an area where back in my great-grandparent's day, a small dam was put across the creek so they could pump water to their garden. The dam created a small, shallow reservoir, and various wildlife moved in or visited. I love seeing the occasional wild duck or blue heron paying a visit. 

Snapping turtles are rather rare around here and I'm glad there are a few around. They're a common sight at the river and on the C&O Canal, but not on the side of a mountain. We just happened to have a spot the more adventurous wanderers found to their liking. 

The Lady of the Hideaway

Holly Tree Manor, The Hideaway, snapping turtles, prehistoric reptiles, rural living, a writer's life, wildlife, swamp, creeks, laying eggs