Tiny Little Turtle

 Zack was right at the top of the class over Thanksgiving when it came to finding fabulous things.



In the back fields, he found part of the upper jaw of a beaver, of all things. Complete with tooth...



Then on Sunday, at the beach, he discovered this tiny little turtle.  This young snapper was so brand new he  (or she? depending on the temperature in the nest:  chicks are hot and dudes are cool...)  that it still had a vestigial 'egg tooth' on the tiny beak, that would have been used to help cut out of the egg.   David and Megan had four nests at their house this year, so perhaps it is coming from there?




We were enchanted completely by this little chap. The incredible detail on the skin, the tiny shell, the minute claws and glittering eye -- it was an absolutely perfect specimen.  When first found, it was pretty lethargic and cold, but soon warmed up in Zack's hands and began to set about its proper turtle business.



We were very careful to set it free in the lake in an area that was sheltered from wavers.