New Life

It's that time of year. Eggs laid in the ground two months ago are now hatching. Clifford and I made a fortuitous discovery while walking our dogs on some woods owned by friends of ours. A rare sight, because they are so secretive. These little guys (or gals) hatched into a dry world. We are in drought and the ground they were laid in is parched, the path surface, except in the spot where their mother had months ago methodically dug a small flask-shaped hole, was like pavement.

The two hatchlings still had their rear halves stuck in their eggs, the dryness made it difficult or impossible for them to free themselves. One had apparently done most of the digging to re-open the nest chamber, and was making his way across the path, pulling himself along with his front legs. The other remained in the nest chamber, his rear end similarly trapped.

We had some water in a canteen so we moistened them, allowing the flexible-shelled eggs to take up moisture and become pliable again, so that they'd be able to free themselves.

Baby box turtles in the wild are a rare sight and to find two in one day is a real treat.

Another herp sighting for the day was an unusually pale-colored toad.