I so rarely see turtles up close, so it was quite the unexpected treat to meet two female snapping turtles laying their eggs or nesting in High Park. A rep from the Toronto Turtle Rescue was on scene to make sure the nests were ok and would be protected. I snapped a few quick photos but wanted to leave the mama turtles unperturbed so didn't wait for the perfect shot.
@ihember
My Doberman found a turtle who got stuck trying to squeeze through my fence (large open, unfenced access to the water & woods all around). She came and got me, and showed me, so I could free the critter. The she went back for the next 24 hours, to check if it came back. What a good, nurturing girl she is!
@lolonurse @ihember Our dogs are great at finding turtles too – and don't try to harm them. About half of the turtles we saw around our place were discovered by them. Living on turtle breeding grounds is both fun and stress.
@lolonurse @ihember We need more people like her.
@szescstopni @ihember
You are doing a magnificent job!
@szescstopni @lolonurse Nice!! There are several turtle nests in the park near my house that are caged off for protection. My dog has never found one before I've seen one, but we have a lot of coyotes who I'm sure would enjoy discovering a turtle nest. That's a great photo, too!
@ihember @lolonurse The nest she made was removed the next day by a park ranger we called. Here's the whole story: https://qoto.org/@szescstopni/112478852468643709
@szescstopni @ihember
This is so wonderful! You are truly stewards. 💚
@lolonurse @ihember We fucked up nature a bit by building our house here, now it's time to make amends.
@szescstopni @ihember
That's more than most would do.
@lolonurse @ihember I don't know.
@szescstopni @ihember
A dear late friend was an avid turtle advocate. She was a long-time volunteer for terrapin rescue, and annual Hudson Valley raptor counts. Such a great person.