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Friday, July 10, 2015

Turtle!

Western Ornate Box Turtle on our front stoop
Yesterday our area got between 1.2 and 1.4 inches of rain.  There was minor street flooding, but nothing serious.  The heavy rain often brings out critters you don't see everyday, like the turtle Becca spotted on our front stoop this morning before our hike.  When I went out to photograph it the turtle withdrew into its shell.  But when I walked away it got moving pretty fast--in the direction of our driveway.  I had to be especially cautious pulling the car out because I was paranoid about driving over the beautiful box turtle.  I was equally cautious coming into our driveway after a steamy hike west of Tortugas Mountain.
A soulful face

This and the next two photos:  Ash-throated Flycatcher



Just west of Tortugas Mountain

Cresting the high foothills trail

How deep is this arroyo?

Water through this small arroyo ran fast last night

Trail heading west

Heading east up the mountain

Roadrunner with a small lizard in its beak

5 comments:

Dr. K said...

I hope that turtle keeps safe. I wonder how old it is.

JACQUELINE said...

Cute turtle! Encountering the unusual is such a delight - unless it's venomous.

packrat said...

Hi Jacqui:

Yes, encountering venomous critters gives you pause for thought; I do like to see them, though. Dr. K not so much.

Hope all is well.

:)

Scott said...

I'd never guess there were box turtles there. More surprises all the time!

packrat said...

Scott: I read that box turtles here in the desert spend 95% of their lives in burrows underground. Sounds a dreary existence to me.

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