Elder crossing

Annual migration between lakes is on. Good thing there’s little road traffic as it took a nap in the middle of the road before moving on. I could hear the clicking of its nails on the blacktop.

Winter quarters are a lake behind me. An uphill climb to the road. No wonder it napped. Easier trip downhill to its summer place where I live. Moving is tough when your house is on your back.

Enjoyed the photos! Thanks

Ahhh…nice warm road.

I really like the second pic, very dinosaur-like. That turtle also looks particularly shiny and clean.

@TomL said:
very dinosaur-like.

My thought as well.
Didn’t Godzilla fight something like this back in the '60s, or maybe Gorgo, or, you know, one of those big monsters.

Triceratops
once made its points
Chicken Little’s befell
and it blew this joint

or some would have
paleontology
but scale it down
and you might see

still horning in
sans three-prong rack
playing old shell game
O’Tops on track

with so many whys
Chicken’s little beknowed
how some snap§back
to cross the road

I thought you might have seen an aging p.nutter in the road.

You’re funny, @string

Looking at its spiny tail, I thought of a Spinosaurus. Watching it move made me think of an alligator. Its neck has lots of creases like an accordion.

@Rookie said:
You’re funny, @string

Looking at its spiny tail, I thought of a Spinosaurus. Watching it move made me think of an alligator. Its neck has lots of creases like an accordion.

I think that is why they are called alligator snappers.

Godzilla battled Gamera, a giant turtle that flew by jetting air out of it’s leg holes and spinning. Eventually the Japanese monster movie makers turned Gamera into a benevolent “protector of the universe” and I think he (she?) and Godzilla got together in a later film to save Tokyo from some other oversized monster threat.

In Shinto mythology (the ancient religion of Japan) the Japanese islands float on the back of a giant turtle, so turtles are revered there and often appear in traditional art…

There are various Native American legends about the Land of the Great Turtle, an island shaped like the back of a turtle. Now called Mackinac Island.

Saw another traveler this morning in my driveway during a downpour. Was glad it veered to the south and avoided my garage door.

@string said:

@Rookie said:
You’re funny, @string

Looking at its spiny tail, I thought of a Spinosaurus. Watching it move made me think of an alligator. Its neck has lots of creases like an accordion.

I think that is why they are called alligator snappers.

Those are common snapping turtles.

You have to go to southern states like Illinois to find mean, scary reptiles.

oops

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alligator_snapping_turtle

@willowleaf said:
Godzilla battled Gamera, a giant turtle that flew by jetting air out of it’s leg holes and spinning. Eventually the Japanese monster movie makers turned Gamera into a benevolent “protector of the universe” and I think he (she?) and Godzilla got together in a later film to save Tokyo from some other oversized monster threat.

In Shinto mythology (the ancient religion of Japan) the Japanese islands float on the back of a giant turtle, so turtles are revered there and often appear in traditional art…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamera

Print is from Japan. Pendants and incense burner from China.



@TomL said:
oops

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alligator_snapping_turtle

Southern States like Illinois???
My great grandfather was in the 17th Illinois US Cavalry.

I wasn’t aware I objected to anything.

TomL: nice treasures. Especially like the charming print of the two elders.

@string said:
I wasn’t aware I objected to anything.

I’m just teasing you real southern folks…plus it’s true that alligator snappers and critters like cottonmouths are in Illinois but not way yonder up here.

@willowleaf said:
TomL: nice treasures. Especially like the charming print of the two elders.

Thank you. I’ve had lots of memorable turtle encounters while paddling and I also like the turtle symbolism of longevity, prosperity and perseverance. Plus I’ve been lucky to have a couple of Chinese co-workers that did some shopping for me knowing my fondness for turtles. I didn’t even show my best pendants. The white one in the pic is carved yak bone.

I think the common snapper is enough… We have a sizeable one Tony that wanders the neighborhood… Or Antoinette… It is two feet long… seriously. No one wants to pick it up. ( maybe 30 lbs)
For Tom L…
Rileys Bait. enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9g6yMA3aaE

@kayamedic said:
I think the common snapper is enough… We have a sizeable one Tony that wanders the neighborhood… Or Antoinette… It is two feet long… seriously. No one wants to pick it up. ( maybe 30 lbs)
For Tom L…
Rileys Bait. enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9g6yMA3aaE

I did!