A little visitor

Husband went out to peruse the tall grasses that surround

the house.

He is itching to start the

"bringing back of sanity"

but he doesn't have all the things he thinks he needs..

don't ask!!!!!

plus there are many steps to take before the

prairie can be penetrated 

the meadow can be mowed

the jungle juiced

 by the blades

and I won't venture into the verdant vegetation

I hate long grass

 I refuse to be covered in fleas and ticks and spiders and ants

and all manner of icks

I'm like that!!

Anyway,

he found this little fellow

strolling on the patio

Tiny little thing he is

as you can see here!!

Lovely colours on his tummy

Don't think he was too happy to be scooped up

to have his picture taken

I think it  might be a snapping turtle

because he doesn't seem to have a "flap" to box himself in

like a box turtle does

We have had snapping turtle mamas crawl all the way

from the lake and deposit eggs

right in front of the house

One year we found one digging a hole near the steps

and the husband

picked her up

and a hefty thing she was

and we walked her back to the lakeside.

this one ....

we took him home!!!!

but the wife was out!!!!!!

:{

edit

(OK.....Lisa from Lil Fish studio, who, in my opinion, is a whiz at wildlife!!!
suggests that the little visitor is a painted turtle.......

so that is what he will be... thank you Lisa!!!!

if I find out different

I'll edit again

don't hold your breath-s  !!!)

:)