Ernie Caldwell Diaries.....

[Cflaguy]

Lets go back to Friday......

cruising along minding my own bitness when I spy a large softshell. I drive this area often. The subgrade is low, six inches below the curb which is 7+ inches high. Turtles can get on the road but can'y get back out. I took him to the creek and turned him lose.....

 

[Cflaguy]

After lunch.....

I found this beauty crossing in the same area. She was frothin at the mouth. I took her to the West Horseshoe creek, a littl slower and just 3 or 4 inches deep. You could see her sigh when she hit the water. I turned around to leave and a large Racer was staring at me. He departed before I could get a shot off.....

 

[Cflaguy]

Brings us to today.....

First thing this morning on Pinetree St. A good size Three-striped Musk Turtle....

 

[Cflaguy]

Not ten feet away.....

was the second softshell in two days..... Much smaller thank goodness. The big guy tore up my left hand with his claws.
I turned around at the creek after turning the ss loose and the lads were motioning me over. Where I found a lady Red-Belly.....

 

[Cflaguy]

Sadly.....

This turtle was a victim of the road. She couldn't climb up the curb and I didn't find her in time. The sun got her.

 

[Cflaguy]

Just enjoy the remaining pics.....

Its that time of year in Florida. It rains everyday, and all is green, wildflowers are blooming.....
I hope you enjoy the habitat shots.....

 

[Cflaguy]

Continued....

a few more habitat shots......

 

[Cflaguy]

Final two.....

This flatwoods ponds extends for quite some area back. I like looking at it.

 

[Cflaguy]

Before and after....

First pic was way back in post #17.
Second pic was taken on Friday.....

 

[wstphal]

These pictures remind me of what I miss from my childhood in Florida. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Cflaguy]

Yes.....

These pictures remind me of what I miss from my childhood in Florida. Thanks for sharing!

me to. Reminds me of the mid 80s.

 

[diamondlil]

Great updates. Those turtles are amazing and I love the habitat shots, thanks for this thread, it's one of my favourites.

 

[wstphal]

me to. Reminds me of the mid 80s.

You must be younger than I. I was a kid in FL from 1962 thru 1972 or 1973. There were lots of places that looked like this within bicycle radius of my home!

 

[Cflaguy]

I started about 1980.....

You must be younger than I. I was a kid in FL from 1962 thru 1972 or 1973. There were lots of places that looked like this within bicycle radius of my home!

in Orlando. Oviedo was a hot spot. Never went out there w/o catching 3 or 4 snakes a night. Including the Rainbow Snake thought to maybe be extinct in Florida now. Behind Sea World was the best. Every type of snake in the range I caught there. Sadly, it no longer exist.

Today was another great day. Early morning always good for herpin. Found this beautiful yellow rat snake.......

 

[Cflaguy]

A few more.....

Picked him up and placed him on the other side of the road. He promptly climbed up the fence. I pulled him off and placed him about 50ft in the woods.

 

[snakemom1961]

I hadn't checked this thread in a very long time. I'm not sure why, but I'm sure glad I looked at it today.
Those are some awesome finds you've had over the year. I'm so glad you decided to keep taking pics(even if I hadn't been looking on a regular basis).
How much longer are you going to be there? Still a July finish date? Or do we get more time to enjoy your work area.

 

[Cflaguy]

They are on schedule.....

I hadn't checked this thread in a very long time. I'm not sure why, but I'm sure glad I looked at it today.
Those are some awesome finds you've had over the year. I'm so glad you decided to keep taking pics(even if I hadn't been looking on a regular basis).
How much longer are you going to be there? Still a July finish date? Or do we get more time to enjoy your work area.

for a July finish. A bummer considering I'm finding herps everyday.....

Today, another 3 stripe.....
Taling some advice from Bill Love's photography class I took this pic and I like it.....

 

[Cflaguy]

Directly across from this turtle....

I saw this. Took the pic from acroos the strett then moved in for a better look.
Second is the always afternoon rain moving in......

 

[Butch]

Beautiful tom, turkeys were out in force this past weekend in the big bend, good to see down here was no different

 

[Cflaguy]

What a streak.....

How many days in a row now I've found something?
It was late in the day but streak was extended. This large racer again pushing over 4ft. on Pinetree St. Frankly I'm getting tired of these guys so snapped these two pics, exited the vehicle, and chased back off the road.....