Halloween Snapping Turtle & Snake

October 30, 2009 was warm, windy and wet. The rain had stopped so it was a good day for a hike at Cherokee Marsh. We didn’t need mittens or hats and light jackets were fine. We (Elizabeth and I) had 10 kids ranging in age from 5 to 9. Most had never been to the marsh and a few had never hiked.  While walking, a five year old Joe asked, “What are we going to do here?”  He seemed perplexed after I told him that we’re here to enjoy nature, look for animals, enjoy the leaves falling from the trees. However, as the leader of the pack, Joe became the best animal spotter. One 8 year-old girl was a little scared, so she held my hand. I thought this was telling too. Hiking can be scary to kids, especially on a windy, overcast day, right before Halloween.

I really wasn’t sure what we’d see today. Most birds had already flown south and the winds kept other bird from view. Perhaps we’d leave without seeing something, but that wasn’t the case.

Just off the boardwalk, Joe spotted a snapping turtle hunkered down in a ditch alongside the trail. The turtle was within 3 feet from us and we he saw us, he tried to hide. We backed up to give him some room. In a few minutes, he poked his head up so we all got a good look at his pointed nose and powerful jaw.

“We don’t want to get too close.” I said. Some of the kids were a little afraid, but this lessoned as we watched. We talked about that he was probably getting ready for winter. As we walked away, Joe shouted, “A snake!”

Ronnie screamed as did a few other girls. She started crying. She didn’t even see the snake, but was responding to Joe’s announcement. I told her and all the kids that garter snakes are not poisoness and are very gentle. I’m not sure that they believed me, though if I could have, I would have picked up the snake.  Elizabeth shared that she used to capture garter snakes. Quickly, the girls calmed down and we kept walking.

By the time we got back to the van, the kids were ready to go back. At 30 minutes, this was short hike for me, but a long hike for them. I always have to remember this and be sure to let them set the pace. It was time to go.