Home Sweet Home! It's been great to be back on the Bruce- the place I call home. I've been showing Robin and Brittany around the Peninsula, and all my old haunts. We've been seeing a lot of my old friends, including some of the reptiles that can be found on the Bruce. It was fun to be playing to an audience who is from the same area as me, and therefore has a similar understanding of nature to me.
One of our many stops was the Tobermory library, which is tiny and quaint. They had a giant book about the "wonders of the world" which was amazing. We then had a great dinner of all you can eat fish and chips where the musician who was performing kindly let me borrow his guitar to sing a song. Following this, Brittany dared me to jump into Georgian Bay, and I was glad to oblige. Friday was an action packed day including Sauble Beach library, the Owen Sound library (I got to see my mother and some friends there) and a pavillion on the beach in Lion's Head. Owen Sound was quite the adventure as I was trying to see as many people I knew as possible (one of those rushed "visit everyone trips") and we had a schedule to keep.
On the way from Owen Sound to Lion's Head, we found a snapping turtle on the road, and pulled the car over quickly to help it across the road. These turtles are a common sight all around Ontario, especially in the spring. We helped the turtle safely cross the road so that she could lay her eggs. She was snapping to defend herself from the "predators" she could see. It is important that while you help these amazing animals across the roads you look out for your own well being as well. Though most turtles can be picked up to move, the snapping turtle has a strong jaw and is very defensive on land. We usually suggest putting a stick near their face for them to snap on to, and you can pull them across the road to safety.
On the note of turtles, we have been getting lots of stories about people taking turtles off of the roads and keeping them as pets. These people have good intentions, but the extent of our relationship with these wild animals should be to take them off of the road in the direction they are going, and let them continue on their journey. The wildlife needs to stay in the wild.
This trip has been great; getting to head home and teach people here about the animals that live right in the area is awesome. I also got the chance to talk about my favourite kind of turtle (anyone know what that is?) and see my old friends. It's served as a great introduction to a fabulous summer of road trips around Ontario. I look forward to seeing everyone in Kingston!
Eric.