Alligator Turtle and Tree Frog, Baby Geese

My yard has been a sea of adventure in wildlife!  A few nights ago, I went out after dark to bring my porch chair cushions in for the night and there was this huge tree frog sitting on the back.  I had never seen one this large before!

Notice the suction cup toes.  I probably caused temporary blindness when my flash went off!  But he hopped away happily after posing for my photo shoot-ha!

I was fascinated with his approximate size of 3" as I had never seen a Tree Frog this large before.

Talk about a gaggle of geese!  About 4 Canadian geese families came with their babies to bask in the sun in the back yard before returning to the lake



The "teen" goslings are becoming beautiful, losing their soft down baby feathers.  They will be flying soon when their wings grow longer and then the flying lessons begin, fun to watch!! 

Returning to the water. 

Escaping through the neighbor's yard above and one cooperative pose from one of the babes. 

Resting and preening.

Last but not least, yesterday I encountered this Alligator Turtle that definitely looks like a prehistoric critter!  My neighbor helped get him back to the lake after he crossed the road and was in my front yard.  He was huge, approximately 24 " from head to tail and must have weighed 25lbs.  My neighbor picked him up on the end of a shovel (which the turtle bit) and flopped him into the lake.  He was bigger than my little Lilly Chihuahua!  I would hate to meet him in the dark!!

My neighbor deciding how to move him towards the lake.

He has lake weed caught on his shell which was really clean and shiny.  His tail had bumps going down it just like an Alligator!  Very scary!  But he finally was plopped back into the lake behind my house and I hope I do not see him again.  

A gift left behind from the adult Canadian Goose~ a Quill feather that I will make into a pen :)

My wild heart to yours....

Pinks and adventures!

Happy Pink Saturday everyone!!  We had company from back home this week and they brought us the most beautiful plant with pink blossoms!  Just in time for Pink Saturday!

It is called a Sun Parasol  and is a Mandevilla hybrid.  It is a climber so hubby planted it in a larger pot by one of the metal trellis supports on the overhang of the den roof.  We will be able to enjoy it there best!

I love the blossoms, they are so large and beautiful and the leaves are wonderfully green and hearty looking.  It is an annual but the giver said her Mom winters them over in the house!  I shall try that.

   I also have a picture-less adventure to tell you about in our back yard critters!!  My youngest daughter works from home and was typing away when she heard a big fuss outside.  She went out to see what was going on as the 2 Canadian Geese parents were squawking and squawking!  Lo and behold, a huge Alligator Turtle had one of their teen goslings by the leg and was trying to drag him under the water.

   My daughter called her good old Mom when efforts to free the babe with a shovel beating on the back of the armored turtle.  I got the garden rake and while he kept trying to pull the little one under and out deeper in the lake, I kept raking him nearing to shore, leg in his jaws!!  It took me several tries and the frantic parents hissed at first and then must have realized that I was helping and stood back watching.  I finally got the turtle and the gosling up on shore but the turtle even when rolled on his back hung on to that poor baby!  I gave the turtle a couple of sharp whacks on his shell and fi-nal-ly!...he let go!  The parents were so happy and the poor little fella went limping off with them just a peeping away over his trauma.  The skin was not broken on his little leg at least and when the parents knew he was safe, they rounded up the other 2 teens and all went off but on shore, not in the water!! They have not come back to our lake since and I don't blame them!

   I know that some will think I interfered with nature taking its course but I could not let this little creature get drowned.  My mother instinct kicked in and I heard nor saw nothing around me until that little gosling was free!  My daughter later told me that a neighbor 2 houses away clapped when the turtle gave up-ha!  I had just cleaned up and had clean clothes on and in my adventure I splashed mud and water all over my self.  I hosed off before going into the house and then cleaned up and changed all over again.  I know I cannot save every little one but at least this one was happily back with the family!

Don't forget to link to HOW SWEET THE SOUND, our lovely hostess for Pink Saturday that is celebrating its third year!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY PINK SATURDAY Beverly and Everyone!!!

♥KERRIE♥

My heart to yours...