Tuesday, April 13, 2021

GREEN SPRING GARDENS CONTINUED - DUCKS, GEESE AND TURTLES - MONDAY, APRIL 2ND, 2021

 We always start off at the pond area when we go to this garden.  We have seen Great Blue Herons at the first pond, but there were only a pair of Canada Geese today.  



Two ladies were enjoying our usual bench so we walked to the gazebo and found it empty.  We sat there for about ten minutes.  


The Turtles were out.


I have noticed several times how turtles tend to stretch their back claws out.  Curious I looked on line to find out why.

At this website I found the following explanation.

"Turtles are cold-blooded animals, so they cannot control their body temperature internally. The only way they have to raise their body temperature is to bask to absorb warmth and vital UV rays. While heat is radiated to their bodies from their shells, they often stretch out their legs to collect additional heat.

Usually, their feet completely widen out at the same time to increase the surface area even more. They are able to engage in thermoregulation and their metabolism functions become elevated. As a result, the efficiency of their immune and digestive systems increases. Another benefit is that they absorb important UVB rays in sunlight. UVB rays become metabolized into vitamin D3 which is necessary to process calcium.

– Dick Brewer"There were ducks and geese in the second pond but they weren't paying much attention to each other


As we walked on I noticed new shoots growing.  Looking at my plant app "Picture This", it identified the leaves as coming from an American beech tree.  Here's a poem I found in the description, one of the many reasons I enjoy this app.  It will give you a poem about a certain flower, plant or tree, if available.

"I feel I'm growing old Mary, 
But few now walk with me,
Or sit and talk where many met,
Beneath the old beech tree."
~David Mills~

A good reminder to be nice to everyone we meet as we walk through the garden, and through life for that matter.
Here is the Cardinal I shared in this post.
More next time, when we get to the top of the hill.

Enjoy your day and thank you for visiting.





26 comments:

  1. I have never seen turtles do this, so I am glad you got good shots of it. I was very interested to know why!

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  2. I always start (and often go back to and finish with) water features too. Thank you for sharing the beauty and the wonder.

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    1. You are very welcome EC, so glad you enjoyed :)

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  3. I don’t believe I have seen turtles stretch like that. I may not have noticed. Interesting fact about why turtles stretch like that.

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    1. I've not long started noticing this myself Linda :)

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  4. Such gorgeous photos and interesting info about turtles. I've seen them do that but never looked it up. Makes sense. Thanks for sharing with us. :)

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    1. Thanks Martha, happy you found it interesting :)

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  5. No turtles here but I find them an interesting critter

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    1. That's interesting you don't get them in your area Red. No doubt you have many critters we don't get down here :)

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  6. absoluely stunning photos, number 2 of the goose is gorgeous and the claw outstrecthed with the tale of why actually gave me goosebumps on my arms. i had not idea tht is why they are always lined up on the logs.. i want to live in the blue house. what a view

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    1. Thanks Sandra :) That blue house belongs to the park. It's empty but has boxes stacked in the windows so I'm assuming they use it for storage right now. I'd love that house too!

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  7. Lovely place! Those turtles look a little scary.

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    1. They're very prehistoric looking aren't they Anne? :)

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  8. That's very interesting about their legs absorbing more heat. Thanks for your research.

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    1. You are very welcome Ellen, glad you enjoyed the extra info :)

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  9. I have seen turtles do that. the explanation makes sense.

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    1. I said that as soon as I read the explanation and I had my "aha' moment :) Thanks William!

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  10. Such a great Spring day walk and I especially loved the turtle close ups and the research you did, thanks for sharing. Always something new to learn!

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    1. It was fun Sallie and you are very welcome. I enjoyed learning too :)

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