Turtle Watching

As I walk into work each day, I pass a large pond that is right outside of the library.  The pond has been overflowing the last few days due to the large amount of rain we've gotten, and its been odd to see small trees underwater (though as the pond recedes, they don't seem any worse for wear).  Usually the birds (egrets, etc.) are out and about around the pond, but the marsh like ground seems to be keeping them away.  What the extra water has also done, though, is bring out the turtles in full force!  You see them sticking their little heads out of the pond and then you see nearly a dozen sunning themselves on the banks.  Not sure why the change in weather has caused this, but they are fun to watch.

Turtles get a reputation as being slow creatures and for the most part I think this is true. But some of the turtles here like to go racing through the grass, fast enough to startle anyone walking by.  Why?  Because all you see if this reptilian head and fast movement (high grass) and your first thought is "snake."  But after a quick glance you realize that its a turtle and that he's running full speed through the grass - sprinting towards the water.  It's a fun site, one that even the students will often stop to watch.  I don't take much pleasure or joy out of the days here in Miami, but watching the turtles and the birds has become a pleasant past time.  I just wish there were other things here to make me want to stick around.  I can see turtles and birds in lots of place (even a crazy 50's style diner in Las Vegas).