.

.
Borrego Springs, CA

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Check off another one

Since I arrived at the Okefenokee NWR, I’ve wanted to see a gopher tortoise.  They are an endangered land tortoise that digs a ten foot deep and 30-40 foot long tunnel under the ground as its home.  It’s a ‘keystone’ species, as more than 300 other insects, animals and reptiles use its home as well.  Today was the day!

IMG_1992

While roving this afternoon, I chose to drive down one of the sandy back roads of the refuge and low and behold saw a tortoise crossing the road.  By the time I could get out of the car with my camera, it had made its way into the woods at the side of the road.  All I was able to get was a going away shot or two.  I was amazed at the speed with which this tortoise could move.  Now I wonder about that story about the tortoise and the hare. Who me?  See the way those back feet are flying?

IMG_1999

It stopped briefly, and I tried to creep up on it to get a better shot.  Looking ahead, I stepped on a branch on the forest floor that snapped and the tortoise literally flew down its hole.  Nuts!  I advanced and looked down the hole, but it had gone way below being spotted.  With the warming weather, I’m hoping I’ll be able to get a better shot before I leave.

IMG_2000

As I returned to the vehicle, I was able to find its tracks as it had made its way across the road.  I found the indentations in the sand from its shell and clawed feet most interesting.  Two parallel lines and scratches leading from one side of the road to the other.  This tortoise sure knew where it was going.  And what a hiding place it is!  No way I’d reach down that tunnel.  One of the other species that uses tortoise tunnels for safety from fires and cold is the rattlesnake.  Best to look at these tunnels from afar…

IMG_2002

Also with the warming weather, more and more alligators are coming out of their holes.  A couple of us here have been wondering what has happened to a young alligator on one of the borrow ditches since two large gators have appeared there.  Today I found the 3-4’ youngster way down at the other end of the quarter mile ditch.  You can still see its yellow stripes.  That yellow will fade as it matures.  Nice to find out it wasn’t eaten by one of the bigger fellows.

IMG_2003

The yellow-bellied sliders reflectively posed today as well.  It was kind of a turtle/tortoise afternoon for me today.

After four days of work, my hip/leg is pretty tired tonight.  Happily, I’ve got the next three days off, and my good friend Jack the Bugman will be arriving for a visit.  Long time readers know he thinks I’m a cheap date, so I’m trying to dream up a place to go for dinner that’s a couple of steps above Waffle House.  That could be a real challenge here in Folkston, GA!  Disappointed smile

IMG_1993

                                                                              THE END!!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

20 comments:

  1. Nice...I think turtles, tortoises and alligators are such prehistoric looking creatures. If you saw one gopher tortoise, I'm sure you'll see another!

    www.travelwithkevinandruth.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think that is two things you have checked off recently. I loved your picture of the gopher turtle...great photo for a bottom line! The sliders are so cute...

    I hope you enjoy your days off and get lots of rest.

    Maybe Rhonda's Diner for supper?

    ReplyDelete
  3. We've seen gopher tortoise all over Florida. Wonder if Georgia is a little too North for them. Most of the ones I've seen have been pretty used to people apparently since if I didn't walk toward them they just stayed put. Hope they will come out and hang around so we can see some of your great pictures of their front ends. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a successful day.. Even though it was one shot, it was a good one.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a neat encounter, even if it was brief. We came upon the tracks of a sea turtle had made returning to the sea from its nest ... the indentations of its flippers and shell reminded me of the tracks an armored vehicle might make

    ReplyDelete
  6. Over the past few years I hsve developed an interest in and respect for reptiles. They can be kind of creepy, but interesting for sure.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Amazing the depth and length of those tunnels. Hope you and he cross paths again before you head out. Anything has got to be a step up from Waffle House. In my opinion. However, my sister loves that place.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I for one am looking forward to more pictures of the Gopher Tortoise. I cannot imagine them digging holes that deep and long. Interesting. Hope he cooperates for you in the future, and now you know where he lives.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hope he shows himself for you again and a little further away from his home.
    Enjoy your company and find a good place to eat.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I couldn't dig a tunnel that big with a shovel and the tortoise does it all with his little stubby feet - amazing!! Hope you see him again and get some more photos.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Like you, I love seeing the trails that critters leave behind them. They're almost as interesting as seeing the critter itself. And... aren't those "check off lists" interesting as well? The more I check off the more I add to it!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I really enjoy turtles in the wild! Thanks for the great pictures. If you see any more gopher turtles, I hope you post pics of them too. Fascinating.

    Emjay

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm glad you got to see a Gopher before you leave. Did you read my blog a while back about the one we rescued from the ocean? Little bugger, walked right down the beach and went for a swim, then got caught in the current. It had a happy ending. :)

    I can't wait for your friend Jack to come. He's always good for some interesting photos! Al is called "Al the Bug man." No, I don't think you'll find much in the way of restaurants in Folkston!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I always learn something interesting from your blog about nature and it's wonders. I hope you find the tortoise again.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Judy I sure wish you had been my teacher in school...maybe I would have enjoyed it more.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great photos again. I never knew alligators had those yellow stripes. Then again, I've never been that close to an alligator.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Knowing your luck, you will see him again and get more photos for us! You might be surprised to find a cool mom and pop place to eat. We love searching for that kind of place. Enjoy your days off.

    ReplyDelete
  18. George Stoltz said...

    There are a lot of gopher tortoises down here in Inverness FL. I have seen quite a few of the tunnels entrances and occasionally one of the turtles along side of the residential streets in our neighborhood.

    ReplyDelete
  19. With your determination and stick-to-itive-ness, I'm sure you'll find more gopher tortoises and all the other creatures on your life list as well. Thanks for sharing with us!

    ReplyDelete