Turtle Journal

Hazy Rumors of T. Rex Sightings on South Coast

Turtle Journal turns down no challenge, retreats from no obstacle, avoids no risk to life or reputation, in order to gather documentary evidence of natural or even supernatural phenomena for its loyal readers.  So, with the same aplomb with which we approach terrapin hatchlings, we launched an expedition to the South Coast of Massachusetts to pursue hazy rumors of creatures descendent from Tyrannosaurus rex roaming loose within Brainard Salt Marsh.

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Stalking Shadow of T. Rex through Brainard Marsh

We won’t reveal our source, but Turtle Journal recovered shadowy footage of Tyrannosaurus rex-like creatures prowling the dense woodlands surrounding a freshwater pond within Brainard Marsh, a protected sanctuary of the Sippican Lands Trust.  It’s been said that a daring photographer discovered these shadowy predators some time ago, began tracking them stealthily, then found himself their prey as the critters began stalking him in coordinated motions reminiscent of Jurassic Park velociraptors.  We make no claim one way or the other, and let the footage speak for itself.

Tyrannosaurus rex Descendents at Brainnard Marsh Pond

The Turtle Journal team visits the Brainard Marsh pond each year in early spring to check on its spotted turtle population.  This year we came forewarned and equipped to document rumors of T rex-like critters that had moved into Brainard Marsh.  As we approached the pond, we spotted two-legged creatures clearly descendent from the Tyrannosaurus rex lineage.  In fact, if we accept the endorsement of Ben Franklin, we might still label these animals T. rex; that is, king turkey!

“King Turkey” –  Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

According to National Geographic, How Dinosaurs Morphed to Turkeys, “Turkeys are descended from predatory dinosaurs called theropods … The T. Rex dinosaur was actually a giant turkey – a new study of ancient proteins retrieved from a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil have confirmed that birds are the closest living relatives to dinosaurs.“

One of a Rafter of Turkeys Taking Refuge in Brainard Marsh

Whether a small modern dinosaur or a large historic bird, the wild turkey is a truly noble animal.  Turtle Journal agrees with Ben Franklin that the turkey is an American original whose restoration into the habitat of Southern Massachusetts enriches Nature and our lives.  Watching a rafter of turkeys move smoothly and covertly through background thickets creates a singularly profound moment of renewal.

Nesting Osprey in Brainard Marsh

Leaving the turkeys to the solitude of the pond, we strolled further down the path toward the estuary and walked passed an osprey sitting on its nest at the edge of the salt marsh.

Seals Basking in Estuary off Brainard Marsh

Looking to the east, we encountered a pod of seals lazing on exposed rocks in the estuary off Brainard Marsh.  During a fifteen minute stop to check for the emergence of spotted turtles, we had compiled quite a collection of exotic sightings.  Now, if the weather would simply warm up enough for turtles to emerge from brumation, we could focus on the journal’s principal focus.  But in the mean time, we’ll enjoy whatever Nature allows.

 

Red-Shouldered Hawk with Marsh Mouse Lunch

That $30M earmark in the Stimulus Package wouldn’t have saved this unfortunate marsh mouse.  The mouse lived 2700 miles east of San Francisco and the red-shouldered hawk wouldn’t have cared whether it was protected by the feds or not; which it wasn’t.  The hawk was simply hungry and the mouse bolted from its marsh hideaway at the precise wrong time.  End of story … for the mouse.

 

Hawk Strips Mouse Like Beef Jerky

We visited Onset Beach on Saturday to investigate reports we received at last week’s Turtles Gone Wild presentation at the Wareham Free Library.  (See “Turtles Gone Wild” S.R.O. Hit at Wareham Free Library).  We checked out the beach area where diamondback terrapin nesting was spotted last summer and continued our walk through scenic Onset village to enjoy the sunny afternoon.  As we walked along the high bank overlooking the harbor, we spotted a red-shouldered hawk swoop down into the marsh edge and return with talons firmly gripping a mouse.

 

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Requiem for a Marsh Mouse

The hawk settled on a pine tree branch about 8 feet off the ground.  Clearly, this raptor’s hunger out-voted its fear because it allowed us to approach within 10 feet to document its feast.  Cleanly, efficiently, yet unhurriedly, the hawk devoured its prey with no regard for our presence.

Hawk Finishes Lunch Break

Swallowing the last morsel, the hawk leisurely lifted its wings, caught the breeze and sailed into the bright blue sky to survey the marsh menu for dessert.

Toms Roam Wild Through Tony Marion Village

Gobblers, decked in drab brown gang colors offset by bright red neck & leg wear, roam wildly through Marion Village, heart of the SouthCoast sailing aristocracy.  Strutting down this harbor town’s main drag, hopping privacy barriers and disrespecting centuries old stone fences, they peck through manicured Tabor Academy, despoil the lawn of President Cleveland’s vacation home, heckle the gentry at the Beverly Yacht Club and ruffle feathers at the Sippican Tennis and Croquet Society.  Tensions mount near Burr Brothers Marina when rafter and gaggle cross paths.  Clucking American turkeys face off, claw to claw and beak to beak, with honking Canada geese.  West Side Story redux.  Oh, the horror of these nationalist gangs!

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Rafter of Wild Turkeys Ride Roughshod Over Marion Gentry

You may think that herding cats is tough, but it takes a powerful tom to lead a gang of wild turkeys.  This one drove his rafter through the Marion Art Center and into the church triangle on hallowed Front Street where cameras cornered the gang scratching for booty in total disregard of frightened Marionettes barricaded behind frozen doors.

Marion Turkey

Gobblers running amok in the tony town of Marion?  True, there have been reliable records of two-legged turkeys haunting the streets, boardrooms and even bedrooms of Sippican for decades.  But a gang of gaudy toms?  Mon dieu; say it isn’t so!  At the very least, they should respect the town’s preppy dress code.

Corps de Ballet of White Ibis

Strolling Vanderbilt Beach in Naples, observers encounter a wide variety of shorebirds working the Gulf of Mexico inter-tidal zone.  White ibis strut down the beach in chorus line fashion, dancing in corps de ballet synchrony to the gentle waves.  A snowy egret takes solo stage as diva ballerina, followed closely by a towering great blue heron as lead danseur.  Brown pelicans engage in slapstick antics and waddle in flatfooted rhythm as comic relief.

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Southwest Florida Shorebirds

This video montage salutes the diversity and the density of feathered life along the Gulf coastline from Vanderbilt Beach in North Naples to the Naples Pier in the south.   

White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)

With splashy red face, long curved red bill and red legs offsetting pure white feathers, white ibis group together in corps de ballet to forage for prey in the shallow surf.

Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)

Straight black bill and black legs with yellow feet, sometimes called golden slippers, and a splurge of bright yellow eye shadow, the snowy egret dances the waves alone as a diva ballerina.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

A welcomed friend whose company we enjoy all summer on Cape Cod, the great blue heron stands superhero tall among other shorebirds and takes his place as the lead male danseur.  He stakes claim to a large corner of the shoreside stage and other dancers give him wide berth.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

The Great Bard recognized the need for comic relief.  Even in his most tragic tragedies, clowns abound to break tension between clash of swords and duel of wits.  And so our ballet des oiseaux offers clowns, too, in comedic acrobatics and lumbering strides of brown pelicans, rightfully celebrated by Lousiana as its state bird.

Royal Tern (Thalasseus maximus)

Today’s performance earned a regal audience.  Royal terns, recognized by carrot-orange, dagger-like bills and scruffy black tuffs of head feathers resembling a serious case of male patterned balness, command front row seats as they stare intensely at the Grand ballabile.

Standing Room Only (SRO) for Le Ballet Des Oiseaux

Overture for Le Ballet des Oiseaux begins in the morning at sunrise with final curtain falling with the setting sun into the Gulf each evening.  No reservations are required, but SRO is the rule.

It was inevitable.  The large flock of wild turkeys in Eastham, Cape Cod that we spotted in late October (see Rafter of Turkeys Gobble Thanksgiving Overture) appears to have eaten its way to a crossing point: the extremely busy Route 6 highway in Eastham near the National Park Service Center at Salt Pond.  Habitat fragmentation (the immovable object) confronts hungry turkeys (the unstoppable force).  The collision of these forces will likely be tragic for the softer bodied vector, perhaps augmented by a few mangled vehicles, too.

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Wild  Turkeys Dodging Traffic on Route 6, Eastham

Turtle Journal recommends extreme caution when rounding the Salt Pond curve from Eastham Center and when descending the hill from the north.  From either direction the turkeys blend into the background and are nearly impossible to see.  It would be nice if they could be encouraged to fly across the road, but they’re turkeys and dodging high speed vehicles adds so much more excitement to an otherwise mundane and boringly pastoral life.

Perhaps a sign would help … the humans, that is; I don’t think the turkeys can read.