~ Recently Rescued Critters ~
I came across this scared little House Mouse while mowing the grass on 6/12/2025, only moments after my interaction with the Praying Mantis pictured further down below.
When I approached this mouse to try and relocate it to a safer location, I noticed its tiny body was shaking in fear, and it had frozen in its tracks.
I moved around in front of this little one and was able to capture this beautiful picture before picking it up and relocating it to a safer location underneath an outbuilding in my backyard.
Praying Mantis
While mowing the grass on 6/12/2025, I narrowly missed running over this lovely little Praying Mantis. We hung out together for a few moments before it flew off a short distance, leaving me unable to relocate it again. I trust it is off somewhere living it's best life now! :)
Praying Mantis
Praying Mantis
This young Praying Mantis was very "personable", and seemed as interested in checking me out as I was him/her.
Critter Rescues!
Latest Rescue!
Maxi the Pond Slider Turtle
6/11/2025
Warning: VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED!! Some viewers may find some pictures in the photo gallery below as upsetting.
On 6/11/2025, while driving to work, I noticed a turtle sitting on the edge of the roadway. As I pulled off of the road and approached, I noticed there was blood visible on the road near the turtle, however, from a short distance away it did not appear to be injuried. It wasn't util I was standing next to the turtle that I noticed coagulated blood in the bottom of the turtle's shell near it's head. Since I was on my way to work, I took the turtle to the veterinarian hospital where I take my own pets, and sought their assistance. I was able to leave the turtle at the Vet Hospital where he was examined and watched over until I could return a few hours later to transport him to a wildlife reptile rehabber.
What was originally supposed to be a trip to the rehab facility turned into a trip to "The Ponds" instead. Apparently, the rehabber, Ashley McEntire and her crew were pulled into their own rescue, after she had received notification that three ponds in a subdivision were being drained of their water in order for them to be enlarged. Through this process of draining the ponds, hundreds, if not thousands of creatures had been left to die on the muddy floor of the ponds that were their home.
Turtles and many species of fish, including very large Gold Fish, were in the process of being rescued when I arrived with the turtle needing rehabilitation. The picture of the pond in the photo gallery below is just one of the three they were working desperately to rescue living creatures from.
The picture of the turtle wrapped in pink was sent to me on 6/13/2025 by Ashley. She indicated that the turtle, whom I had named "Maxi", was "doing well." She said that Maxi had some soft tissue damage to the face, a swollen eye and a crack to his shell that didn't appear to be too bad at all. He was given pain meds and fluids, and had been acting much improved at the time of Ashley's message.
I am so grateful to know that there are others in this world who work so hard to help those creatures who are unable to help themselves in times of need. Thank you, Ashley and crew! You all are AMAZING!!
Be well, Maxi!
Warning: VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED!! Some viewers may find some pictures in the photo gallery below as upsetting.
(See photo gallery below)
A Sneak Peek...
Latest Rescue!
Bernie the Box Turtle
5/31/2025
I was just on my way to run a few errands today when I saw this sweet box turtle going the wrong way on a busy two-lane highway with high curbs, and heading straight for an even busier intersection! Try as he might, he was not going to get himself up off the roadway on his own. Fortunately, I was able to lend some assistance and the other drivers were very patient during the brief time that it took to rescue this wee one. Since I live not too far from where Bernie was rescued, I took him back to my house and released him into the woods behind my home. Just as a side note, these guys are pretty territorial and tend to live their entire lives in a 250 x 250 yard area of land. So if they are removed from the area they grew up in, they will do all they can to find their way back to that area. Additionally, in being moved to a new habitat, their odds of survival decrease significantlyfrom what it otherwise would be. Stay safe Bernie. It was indeed an honor being able to interact with you in this lifetime!
(See video below)
A Sneak Peek...
New Blog Post!
Snappy the Snapping Turtle
5/19/2025
It was Tuesday, May 13th around 6:30 p.m. I was driving home from work and only about two minutes from my home when I noticed her lying there. It was a large snapping turtle. She was likely migrating from a nearby pond to find a place to lay her eggs. I drove past her while driving the other way on a busy two-lane stretch of highway. She wasn't moving and I thought she must have been hit and killed already. I was processing my thoughts about what I had seen as I continued to drive. I pulled into my subdivision when the following thoughts entered my mind as I continued to process...
(Continue reading on page 4)
