Checking kiosks

One of my duties on the refuge is to be sure that the seven kiosks located at different entry points are well stocked with brochures.  I haven’t had the time to do this since Memorial Day. So since I was done with my laundry and cleaning chores by noon, I headed out this afternoon to take care of that task.

It’s one of the chores I really don’t mind as I always see something interesting along the route.  Today was no exception.

At one of the south entrances, I found a few more of those little yellow lady slippers.  This one had a snow white spider perched on it.  I found out today that Lady Slippers are in the orchid family.  I didn’t know that.

Then, as I made my way down the gravel roads, I found a painted turtle trying to get to the other side.  It’s just about egg laying season for turtles, so I figured I’d better help it along before it got run over.  Locals drive these roads at break-neck speeds, and slow moving turtles don’t have a chance.

I’m not too sure it was very happy about being picked up, but better this little trauma than getting squished!  I really liked the cool yellow striping on its legs and the pattern on its neck when it tucked its head in.  I’ve moved quite a few turtles along in my time, and this is the first time one didn’t pee all over as I picked it up.  I appreciated that. 

Get a load of the cool patterns on its underside.  There is a way to tell a male turtle from a female turtle, but I just can’t remember it at the moment.  Anyway, I moved it off into the vegetation on the side of the road it was moving to.  Just in the knick of time, I might add, as a SUV came blasting past my truck.

                                                          Hissss!!  Stay away from my family!

As I pulled along side one of the ponds, Father Goose gave me a warning.  Guess he didn’t recognize the Fish and Wildlife Emblem on the side of the truck! 

He escorted ma and the kids into the pond.  Surprisingly, there were three families of Canada geese using this pond.  With five goslings still in tow, this was the largest family.

After finishing all the kiosks I headed home.  That’s when I discovered the bunches of larger yellow lady slippers.  They’re about three times bigger than the little ones.

As I made my way through the vegetation to get to the ‘slippers’, I almost stepped on this caterpillar.  I don’t know what kind of butterfly or moth this one will turn into, but it had pretty blue stripes down its sides along with those white dots on its back. 

For some reason, I just never thought of orchids blooming in the wild in Minnesota.  I kind of think they look like yellow dancing shoes with purple ties.

When I got back home, I noticed a distinctive brown tinge to the toilet bowl that I had just scrubbed with Lime Away this morning.  Uh Oh!  I sure hope this isn’t another brown water problem.  What is it with weekends around here? 

At least this time I have a full fresh water tank on board.  I took some readers’ advice and checked the pull handle for emptying the tank.  Apparently it had jiggled loose in traveling and was causing the leak that I had.  It’s now not leaking and I’m thankful for the suggestion to check it.  I never had that happen before.

                                                                               THE END!!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy