Autumn Reflections Western Pond Turtles |
Distant mountain shows burn path of the Loma Fire. |
Fortunately, the fire missed the mountains surrounding Hidden Lake. |
The fire's path spared ancient oaks such as this. |
Impressive limb structure of a massive valley oak. |
Sulfur Polypore fungi favor oaks and can grow to an impressive size. |
They draw nutrients from the heartwood of the host tree. |
Oak forests clothe the mountains above Hidden Lake. |
Late in the year, the sun climbs slowly above the mountains on the lake's eastern shore. |
Volume of runoff from recent rains carved inlets where the water is shallow. |
Shoreline mud clod worn smooth by basking pond turtles. |
In winter, pond turtles usually hibernate to avoid the cold. |
However, some members of the lake's turtle population remain active. |
Also active in this sunny area were a handful of Variegated Dragonflies. |
Here, one chooses a partner for a tandem flight. |
And away they go on a nuptial flight. |
The two are joined together by claspers at the base of the male's tail. |
Rising water levels submerge sections of the shoreline. |
Sometimes flooding underground tunnels favored by tarantulas. |
Rescued, this half-drowned tarantula clung to the brim of my hat. |
I left it alone to recover and regain its strength. |
While I chose a suitable place for its relocation. |
Squirrels created tunnels beneath this log, a perfect relocation spot for the tarantula. |
The instant the tarantula saw the tunnel it scurried into it - barely time to take a single photo. |
Hidden Lake's waters rise and fall with the season. |
The lake's remaining pond turtles will soon hibernate and not emerge until spring. |
Set aside for the public. Protected from development. A haven for wildlife. |
For additional information: Secret Lives of Western Pond Turtles: .ppt (2.76MB) .pdf (177kb) |
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