Backyard Zoology — Reel — 28 February 2025
2025-02-28T15:23:31+11:00
https://www.facebook.com/reel/622403027612845/

I have a long relationship with finding nesting turtles at the @wollongongbotanicgarden but this was a very special surprise!
Monday I was chasing native bees and after stalking up and down the same path, moving aside for large groups spread right across and spilling over onto the grass and the ride on mower not once but twice, I turned to do one more dedicated bee hunt. This time walking on the other side of the pathway and out of the corner of my eye spotted this very tiny and very still turtle hatchling! 
 Full disclosure: there was a little red flower near its head and because I border on the dramatic I automatically assumed it had been squished!!! Sorry little one!
I scooped it up, and as I did so it pulled its long neck into the shell- alive! Hurrah!  I popped it in the garden it had been pointed towards and after a minute or two it appeared- four legs and that lovely long neck and gorgeous face- before scurrying to the safety of a nearby bush! #backyardzoology #ausgeo #natgeo #easternlongneckturtle #turtle #hatchling #turtlehatchling #wollongongbotanicgardens

Music: jordangreenwald · vibey birds of a feather