Pond Keepers: Spotted Turtle

Today during some creature collecting at Louisa Pond, I came upon a really cool herp. I was trekking my way through the tall reeds to get to some deeper water in search of some Water Scorpion and tadpoles, when I look to my right and sunning itself on this warm, spring day was a Spotted Turtle! Super cool find! At the Preserve, we have a resident Spotted Turtle, Spot, who was injured and only has three-legs. So I had seem them before, but never in the wild..until now.

Apparently, they are a common turtle in the Hudson Valley, but many of its habitat range has been lost due to development encroachment from New York City. It was super docile and calm as I was able to check it out closer. They literally do have yellow to light orange spots on their black shells.

Super cool to see these turtles out in the wild. They are also very sensitive to pollution and can rapidly disappear with declining water quality. Good to know Louisa Pond is in tip top shape to house this beautiful creature!

TheChristyBel

Pond Keepers: Creature Collecting in Snow

Again, this snow is really cramping my Pond Keeper collecting style...I guess I won't be scooping goop for another few days...

Will we ever have a Pond Keepers program this spring?!?

TheChristyBel

Louisa Pond

No Access Today

Coxing is Frozen Solid...Even the Falls

Foothills House is Closed for Collecting

Nope.

Pond Keepers: Creature Collecting at Louisa Pond

Today, I wanted to head out into the ponds to gather some more creatures for some upcoming Pond Keepers programs. However, mother nature was not up for it. The weather was still too cold for any dipping into the ponds. I guess I need to wait just a bit longer, but not too long - I have programs coming up soon!

TheChristyBel

A Frozen Louisa Pond

I Cannot Get Through The Ice

The Ice May Be Clear....But Was Way Too Thick to Get Through

Pond Creature Collecting at Louisa Pond

The weather has been warmer than usual (I would call this a really mild winter here) and I am starting to prepare for my spring season of Pond Keepers. With that, that means macroinvertebrate collecting for the classroom ponds. With this warm weather, the ponds have opened up from the pond/lake ice, which means I am able to start collecting. Marc decided to come with me as I put my waders on got about waist deep in the cold pond water to collect my creatures. He also decided to take some photos of my creature collecting for the Preserve's website. Check out some of my glamour shots! haha!

TheChristyBel