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Peace River Zolfo Springs 2 |
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Much like the previous trip, most of the time was spent searching out the river and photographing living turtles. The X-Terrapene with both barrels loaded. |
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The Cruentatum (a Dagger Catalyst) and the Terrapin (a Dagger Delta), which is pulling the inflatable Minor. The Minor came in handy carrying the cooler and the fossil screen. Yes, I name my kayaks and my car. This makes up for the fact that I have too many turtles to be able to name them all. |
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When the water level is low it is not only easier to find fossils with just a mask and snorkel, but can screen for them. You are also less likely to encounter airboats and other motor powered boats. This increases the odds of seeing wildlife. |
photo courtesy of Pat Carew
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Florida Penisular Cooter Pseudemys floridana peninsularis. |
photo courtesy of Pat Carew
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Some of the Sharks teeth found. |
photo courtesy of Pat Carew
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A juvenile Brown Watersnake Nerodia taxispilota. |
photo courtesy of Pat Carew
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The water was still a little cold and this female Florida Cooter Pseudemys floridana peninsularis was really reluctant to drop in. |
photo courtesy of Pat Carew
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Here she is after a quick rinse. Very nice! |
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Fossilized Terrapene carolina ssp. rear marginal section. |
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This female Redbelly's shell was rather chewed up... |
photo courtesy of Pat Carew
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...but she appeared otherwise healthy and heavy. |
photo courtesy of Pat Carew
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Tapir tooth fragment. |
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Pat Carew holding a female Florida Redbelly Cooter Pseudemys nelsoni. |
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Giant tortoise neural bone. Those are inches on the scale. |
photo courtesy of Pat Carew
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The two turtles in the pictures below were found underwater in a clump of dead palm fronds. |
photo courtesy of Pat Carew
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The little guy above is the one on the right below. Both were turned up together and were seen basking together later as we headed back. Both are Pseudemys floridana peninsularis. |
photo courtesy of Pat Carew
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Same turtle as above left. |
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Fossilized pectoral spine from Catfish Ameiurus sp. |
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No, he isn't talking, but he is communicating that he wants to be left alone. A male Florida Redbelly Pseudemys nelsoni. |
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"Hey this log is all squishy and reeks of Heineken and Doritos". |
photo courtesy of Pat Carew
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