Almost Hand Fed

 January 12, 2025,

Baby Box Turtle, Upper pond

Friends, while it would be a misnomer to name me a 'Gentleman Farmer', on the weekend it is my morning chore to feed the beasties.

In the lower pond, we have been lucky enough to have at least one pair of breeding Box turtles. The latest babies are about two months old now.  There are times when I catch them sunning themselves. But most of the time I see them as they feed their ever-growing bodies. 

Of late, they have begun to enjoy the fish food we put in the pond for the tilapia.  There is a fifty/fifty chance that if I look closely enough, I'll see them pop up to woof down a pellet. This morning, the largest of the babies appeared to be waiting for her morning feed.

Sure enough, when I sprinkled some near her, she calmly but warily paddled over and began to feed. I'd sprinkle a little, and every time she'd come closer to feed. Eventually, she was within 6 inches of my hand. She nibbled a pellet, ate some moss, and went back for more pellets.

Our Box turtles are wild and being that close to any wild animal is a thrill. And for the record I've been up close and personal with Grey Whales, Killer Whales, Spiders, Butterflies, Wolves, Eagles, Ravens, Mink, Dolphins, Black Bears, Grizzly Bears, and the list goes on.

Not that I mean to brag, my close encounters have always been moments of luck rather than intentionality. 

Brian