Adam's Post #2
Just like the little zombie kid at Waterfront Park, I love turtles. I wonder how that kid handled his internet exposure. He probably hates turtles by this point.
I was on my bike the other day and I came across a snapping turtle on a sidewalk near the train station. He was getting ready to cross the street. I snapped a couple pics with a camera phone. I had to take pictures of the phone's screen to get them on the computer, so they're sort of blurry. You can get an idea of how big this guy was. I immediately thought of the carnage he'd inflict on the pond. Not even Big Boss could manage this guy. Turtles would be a pretty cool experiment in the pond. I had two turtles as a kid. I'd catch minnow fish at the pond near my place and put them in the tank live. The turtles would hunt them down and eat them whole. Good times.
Here's a pic of the turtle. I put one of my cycling gloves on his shell to give some size perspective.
Here's another pic. Sorry about the quality. This turtle was really big, and had a spiky tail, huge claws and neon green eyes. I was afraid to pick him up because of salmonella and the huge claws. I hope he/she survived. He was on the sidewalk of a busy part of Princess St. It probably took him hours to climb the grassy hill from the marsh.
I've been away from the pond for a couple weeks now, and I must say, I miss it. I hope the little guys can figure out their food issue. I remember the first couple times we tried feeding them. Big Boss was the only guy who was swallowing the food whole. He's like a piranha in comparison to the wee comets. Grinding up the food before feeding seems to work, but it's hard to tell whether they're eating it or if it's just dissolving into the water.
I'm not sure about Big Boss' current status, but here's a quick bio. Last I heard, he was out of action, but it's pretty common for this guy to lock himself away for a couple days when he has to get things done.
Given Name: Big Boss
Family Name: Oranda
Species: Carassius auratus (goldfish)
Special Characteristics: big, ball shaped, slow moving, large tail and fins, big brained.
Special Skills: Can eat whole food pellets in a single bite.
Age: At least 20 days, probably 50+.
Occupation: Boss of the [Tom's not Tom's pond, it belongs to the community] pond.
Office: The ceramic pot in the north west corner of the pond.
Lifestyle: A loner, limits his public exposure, probably works 50-60 hour weeks.
Brilliant as usual. Thanks! I cleaned the filter yesterday. It was so filthy the waterfall was down to a water trickle. Now it is Viagra falls.
ReplyDeleteCouple dead little-uns under the filter, they are being flushed out now. I'm going to put up the last past time video tomorrow I think, then I have some newer ones.
And upon further thought and study. That's a huge turtle.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone else has a wildlife situation they witnessed that is funny or cool that they'd like to report on I will make them an author and they can contribute.
I know people have cats and my brother saw some snakes once. Also, Alex has been fishing maybe he wants to talk about this?
Turtles on Princess? What's next?
ReplyDeleteThey caught a beaver on Sparks street a few weeks ago. Just lumbering along, probably looking for a good place to kick back and whet his toothy whistle. Two guys kindly ushered him back to his home.
Nature. What a wonder!
Last year, Karen and I witnessed a mother duck followed by 8 ducklings crossing the intersection of Riverside Drive and Tremblay Road.
ReplyDeleteI think that it was a Saturday and there was a lot of traffic and we were all just sitting there, watching this little parade go by.
The group made it a little more than halfway through the intersection before the mother duck suddenly looked around and realized the precarious situation they were all in.
At first she froze and then she decided that the best way to defend herself and her little ducklings was by stopping where she was and sitting tight.
A few seconds went by while everyone in their cars were thinking about what do to with the situation.
Finally, a guy got out of his car and safetly escorted the ducks out of harm's way.
I have a cat and among the things that she does on a regular basis are:
ReplyDelete- she chases her tail and plays fetch (ie. she acts like a dog)
- she tries to climb into the shower with me (which I don't recommend to anyone)
- she drags her food and water dishes into the middle of the living room (normal for a girl to rearrange furniture)
- she sees things that aren't there (ie. she hallucinates, without the use of substances, unless there's something that I don't know about)
I apty named her Drama.
Special Skills: Can eat whole food pellets in a single bite.
ReplyDeleteThis fish is like Superman! Can leap tall building in a single bound!