Tomatoes, Snapping Turtles

Today, I got to work on the new garden where I will be planting tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and okra. I cut a bunch of poles that will be used to support the tomatoes as a train them with some twine. After installing the poles, I began forming the raised beds and turning them to prepare for planting.

Transplanting tomatoes in the new garden

I started planting the tomatoes, water them down really well, and gave them a little boost with a mixture of water and fish emulsion. I interplanted some basil verities in the beds which will help deter tomato worms towards the end of the season.

David stopped by this afternoon to check on a couple of pools with me, especially the one right across the street with a large population of wood frogs, as well a few american bullfrogs and green frogs. This pool has a great deal of vegetation around the perimeter and in it, like meadowsweet, silky dogwood, and wintergreen. This is the kind of vernal pool that could attract the grey tree frog, who often spend the day in the trees around a pool then return to the water at night. David and I could not find any in the trees, but I will keep my ears open for their distinct call. David and I found some new plants to I.D. around the pool and decided to meet up tomorrow to help begin compiling and organizing my information and notes.

This evening, David gave a talk at MainStreet BookEnds on the snapping turtle, including a live specimen for a little show and tell. Despite common belief, a snapping turtle will not attack while in water. It is when they are on land that their defensive instincts kick in and can be more aggressive (their head can reach half-way down their back to snap). When they are in the water, they would rather just be left alone and will try to hide. David pulled out a snapper of about 5 years, holding it gently in his hand. The turtle seemed to understand there was no escape in this situation and waited passively as David showed it to the audience. 

David's connection with the local turtles is quite amazing. He has been able to recognize certain individuals each year for the past forty odd years he has lived here in Warner. It has been a profound pleasure to work with David this month and observe a true master in his element. While my project will be coming to a close shortly, my relationship with David will continue as we find more opportunities to get out and explore together in the future.

As I get ready for presenting on wednesday, I will be mounting specimens for my herbarium and drawing out my map which will include all the vernal pools and the flora and fauna associated with that pool, longing trails, landmarks, etc.