Monday, June 20, 2011

Here's something you don't see everyday... Video of a Fawn nursing and a Snapping Turtle laying an egg!!!



A Fawn in the #2 Rough. Please notice the yellow signs are 'only' 12-inches tall!
The Fawn bedding down as I approach. Probably a defensive move to hide. Remember to click on any picture to enlarge it.




Three days later, at sun up, I notice the Fawn in the back of the range. Not wanting to have a Fawn 'stuck' in the range as the day progresses, I attempt to flush/push it via my cart (think of the movie 'City Slickers' with a golf cart and not horses) through the range onto the course. The Fawn was actually very rambunctious, running, jumping and darting about! As we got to the Cart Barn I noticed the Doe bedding down. Knowing it's in good hands er, hoofs I left them alone. Only to come back a little latter to notice a very special moment for Bambi...the Fawn is feeding as the doe 'cleans' the Fawn. Please start the accompanying video.


Another 'not seen every day' picture and video. A moderate sized Snapping turtle laying eggs at #17.



At least the turtle is staying 'inside the ropes'. Next week staff was going to open the newly sodded area from last winter's culvert replacement project. Next, the other portion would be prepared and sodded. Needless to say staff will not sod over the eggs so when the turtles break free they do not have to burrow through the thatch layer of sod.





Please watch the following short video taken by David Evanshank / Golf Maintenance Department from his cell phone. At the 20-second mark you will see an egg suddenly drop from the turtle!

On the same day another Snapping Turtle makes his way across hole #10. Notice what appears to be leeches on his shell. Twenty years ago I attempted to 'save-a-turtle' by picking him up and getting him off the path by the Pumphouse. As I touched the very large Snapping turtle from behind, he jumped and rotated 120-degrees trying to remove my hand! Scaring the bejesus out of me...Needless to say they can take care of themselves and I will never make that mistake twice!




Neat picture from afar and close up of two Mallard Ducks who spent the night on the #14 Pond recycled PVC-wood 'duck-floats' as we call them. Notice the pictures are sequential and taken from the same angle.

Snapper Laying Eggs

Fawn Nursing