We were driving home the other day when this car in front of us stopped and was waving for others to stop. There was a Snapping Turtle crossing the road. I didn’t get to snap a photograph of it until it was almost by.
There are many different species of turtles here from Snapping Turtles to Terrapins to Box Turtles to Leatherback Turtles to Painted Turtles and many more. The Audubon Sanctuary in Wellfleet works very heavily with turtles.
Snapping Turtles are large turtles of about 15″. They have a massive head and a long neck. Their powerful jaws can give a serious bite, so don’t ever get near one.
I was taking a walk on the beach at Boat Meadow when I heard these laughing Gulls squawking at each other. It sounded as though they were laughing at each other back and forth. I watched (and listened) to them for a bit until a Crow flew in and started squawking along with them It was hilarious!
I saw this pretty yellow Celandine wildflower at Fort Hill in Eastham on Cape Cod this past week. Calendine is a leafy plant with hairy stems and deep yellow 4-petaled flowers in loose clusters. The flowers are about 3/4″ while the plant grows to 1-3 feet from May to July on wooded edges, which is exactly where I saw it.
The Double-Crested Cormorants are back on Cape Cod! I saw this flock on the rock that sits out in the bay at Rock Harbor.
Double-Crested Cormorants are black birds with a greenish cast and are about 33″. You can frequently see them along the beach on the rocks or buoys as they spread their wings to dry them while resting.
Cape Cod daily articles on the wonderful Cape Cod places to hike, experience and photograph. A Cape Cod Outdoor Adventure Series.