Minnesota Wildlife

Hello,

Leroy and I are enjoying our encounters with Minnesota Wildlife. Ducks have been seen everyday so they no longer seem wild, but quite a common part of the scene. These ducks appear to be mallards, but don’t quote us on that.

Then there is the turkey that Leroy spotted in a yard on the way home from a walk in the park. When this bird saw us it trotted back in the direction of the wooded area of the park. I have almost never seen a wild turkey so close. It was amazing to see it in the yard as if it belonged there.

Just yesterday we spotted a rather large snapping turtle in another yard as we were walking Sophia home from daycare. After we arrived home, Leroy went back to pick dog poop that Cloe had deposited in a yard farther away. Unfortunately we had forgotten to bring bags with us. At that point Leroy said the turtle was closer to the street so he decided to go back with the camera and take pictures. Brian went with him to check out this turtle. At this point the turtle was in the street. Brian carefully picked it up, pointed it in the direction of the park, and positioned it again in the yard where we had originally seen it. I was sorry that I had stayed home to babysit since I have never seen a snapper up close. One woman who was watching this turtle thought it was looking for a place to lay eggs.

Yesterday we visited friends who took us to the arboretum. There we saw plenty of beautiful wildflowers. My family considered some of these plants weeds. It was wonderful to see friends and plants. There were also cultivated flowers that were blooming so it was quite a delightful scene and good conversation.

Paula