Tag Archives: reptiles

Weekly Photo Challenge: Oops!

Posted on December 12, 2015 by The Ancient Eavesdropper

This is an older photo taken in 2007 while I was tracking turtles for scientific research in Lockport, Illinois.  We trapped these two whopper snappers (Snapping turtles) and put them into large totes in the basement for safekeeping before weighing … Continue reading →

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Sexing tie-dyed turtles

Posted on May 23, 2015 by The Ancient Eavesdropper

Originally posted on The ancient eavesdropper:
I found this juvenile male Western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) today. He was full of energy after eating the sardine bait in the hoop trap. You might be wondering how you determine the sex…

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Fossilizing silence

Posted on August 15, 2013 by The Ancient Eavesdropper

Originally posted on The ancient eavesdropper:
Poetry dusts off the rust from eons spent fossilizing silence.

Posted in Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sexing tie-dyed turtles

Posted on August 12, 2013 by The Ancient Eavesdropper

I found this juvenile male Western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) today. He was full of energy after eating the sardine bait in the hoop trap. You might be wondering how you determine the sex of these colorful creatures. There are … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Undercover

Posted on August 10, 2013 by The Ancient Eavesdropper

Through murky waters I spotted a bobbing shell, head outstretched with eyes peering around, four limbs powering a house, all this happening under  the cover of silence!

Posted in Nature, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Western Pond Turtle

Posted on August 10, 2013 by The Ancient Eavesdropper

Today I had my first encounter with this clandestine creature! It was a large, healthy female who remained calm as I measured her carapace length and body weight. She represents the future of the turtle population, each clutch producing 3 … Continue reading →

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Turtle testaments

Posted on July 21, 2013 by The Ancient Eavesdropper

Out and about by the lake taking time to watch turtles basking on logs, all life awash in water & sunlight. Turtles nest in the hardest places, gravel driveways, railroad tracks, quarry pits, yet they persist, pickmatic claws excavating space … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Snakesssss on a page

Posted on July 17, 2013 by The Ancient Eavesdropper

Originally posted on The ancient eavesdropper:
In celebration of World Snake Day, I have colored my concrete snake poem in camouflaged shades of a shifty sidewinder. After you are finished deciphering its text, I leave you with links to two…

Posted in Art, Nature, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Uncharted territory

Posted on June 19, 2013 by The Ancient Eavesdropper

Nature doesn’t  purposefully plan its paths or pick the road not taken;  only poets perceive structure and definition. As much as our free will has granted us the capacity to learn and choose actions and words, we have a ways to … Continue reading →

Posted in Nature, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Snakesssss on a page

Posted on April 22, 2013 by The Ancient Eavesdropper

In celebration of World Snake Day, I have colored my concrete snake poem in camouflaged shades of a shifty sidewinder. After you are finished deciphering its text, I leave you with links to two other talented poets whose tongues have … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Nature, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments