Turtle

Ornate Box Turtle Firmly Grasping Breakfast

Posted by Lee Hiller on June 28, 2018

Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: Arkansas Wildlife, Box Turtle, Hiking Trails, Hot Springs National Park, Nature Blog, Nature Photography, Ornate Box Turtle, Photo Blog, Photography, Turtle, Worm. 1 Comment

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I have spotted turtles on almost every trail in Hot Springs National Park. Tiny to big I have admired their beauty and ability to survive on a variety of terrain. Other than munching leaves I have rarely seen a turtle eat in the wild. A morning hike revealed a juvenile ornate box turtle on the trail pulling a big worm from the ground for its breakfast. I moved carefully around admiring the firm grasp on the prized food. This is the second ornate box turtle I have seen in the park this year (different mountains/trails) and hopefully this is a sign of population growth.

Love to ALL!
Lee

: HSNP Ornate Box Turtle with Worm in Mouth

: HSNP Ornate Box Turtle with Worm in Mouth

: HSNP Ornate Box Turtle with Worm in Mouth

: HSNP Ornate Box Turtle with Worm in Mouth

: HSNP Ornate Box Turtle with Worm in Mouth

: HSNP Ornate Box Turtle with Worm in Mouth

HSNP Fountain Street Lawn Magnolia Tree Robins Nest Feeding Time

The Universe bares witness to Life at the breath of each new Soul. ~ Lee Hiller

Love to ALL!
Lee

HSNP Fledgling Mockingbird

HSNP Hot Springs Mt Whitetail Deer Family

HSNP North MT Anole

HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Baby Box Turtle

Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo or Raphael?

Posted by Lee Hiller on July 29, 2015

Posted in: Hot Springs National Park. Tagged: Arkansas Wildlife, baby turtle, Box Turtle, Chipmunk, Hiking Trails, Nature Blog, Nature Photography, Photo Blog, Photography, Turtle. 1 Comment

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When I was raising my son in the 80’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was a very popular cartoon. So when I saw this little guy my brain said “Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo or Raphael?” This is the first time I had seen a baby box turtle on the trail in the park. Best of all I know why this little being was there for us to see on our morning hike.

Thirty seconds prior to my spotting our little ninja turtle we startled a hawk on the trail. As it flew away there was a muffled plunk sound. When we arrived on site a stunned little turtle was running for cover. They are a lot faster than their bigger counterparts.

Witnessing all the chaos was a semi well hidden chipmunk (spotted by my husband). I got one photo and she was on her way. We have seen many large raptors this year on low branches, logs, and lifting off from the Forest floor. I would not stay out in the open long if I was a small being.

Happy Trails ♫ ♪… and Love to ALL!
Lee

: HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Baby Box Turtle

: HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Baby Box Turtle

: HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Baby Box Turtle

: HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Baby Box Turtle

: HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Baby Box Turtle

: HSNP Upper Dogwood Trail Chipmunk

Life and Death on the Trail in Cedar Glades

Posted by Lee Hiller on July 20, 2014

Posted in: Cedar Glades Park. Tagged: Arkansas park, Arkansas Wildlife, Box Turtle, Cedar Glades Park, Forest, Hiking Trails, Lizard, Nature Photography, Photo Blog, Photography, Prairie Lizard, Turtle. Leave a comment

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Last weekend early morning in Cedar Glades Park I photographed a bit of Nature on the side of the trail that I did not realized was an empty Box Turtle shell. The sun was still low and I could not see everything clearly. Later on the hike we discovered a male Box Turtle in the middle of the trail. My husband Rick picked him up and to move him off the mixed use (mountain bikes and hikers) trail. A team of three cyclists had buzzed past us earlier and now after seeing I had photographed an empty shell I know my husband likely saved a life that day.

Love to ALL!

Lee