Posting 3 of 3. Turtle Birthing, Hatching or Unearthing (not sure what to call it) Eight Images.

Out of necessity and in order to complete the series, I have to fast forward two months and back five years to 2004, the only time I actually observed young turtles emerging from their lair (hole in the ground). My recollection is that they emerged about seven or eight weeks after having been deposited by Mom. We were only at the cottage on the weekends then and were lucky to catch the action as they are very difficult to spot in the gravel. I actually drove over one of the little ones. My recollection is that about 15 little turtles emerged from the gravel. Once out, they scurried about trying to find their way to either the swamp or the lake. They had to navigate the gravel and/or the grass on the lawn to get to the water. A few seemed to just go in circles for a considerable time. I helped out a couple of these by placing them at the edge of the swamp.

The quality of these images is not great as I was not really into photography yet at the time and only had a small point & shoot digital camera. However, the images are intended primarily to show this phenomenal occurrence in nature and creation.

Top Photo: Mom, her job done, returns to the water. No changing of diapers for her!!


The Midwifes are ready. (Actually, my wife and neighbour watching the happenings.)


Out comes an other one. (Note I had removed some of the top gravel).


A little one climbing up the side of the hole. Note, how well it blends in with the gravel.


Close-up of the gravel-coated Turtlelet. (maybe that's a new word for baby turtle)


"Now, which way to the water so I can have a bath??"


At the edge of the swamp. Almost there, some 20 meters from the nest/hole.


At the edge of the lake, some 40 meters from the nest/hole. (Note, I cleaned up this little one to make it more presentable.)

Alas, I won't see this years crop mature as we have just sold the cottage. It was time. We were fortunate to have had and to have enjoyed the cottage with our children for almost 28 years. Two of our children live far away. Only one lives nearby with his son; however, keeping up two homes was just getting to be too much of a challenge for my wife and I.

END of SERIES (Note: To view the complete story/series, click "Previous", "Previous" for postings 2 of 3 and 1 of 3.)