By CONNIE MERTZ

On one of those misty June evenings, after heavy rains and heavenly applause pelted the fields and meadows earlier in the afternoon, I was mesmerized by the serenity of a gentle quiet encompassing the farm fields. With binoculars in hand, my feet squished through the grassy field. Intent on seeing deer, perhaps a fawn or two, I was instead treated to a rarity in nature right before my soggy sneakers.

An eastern box turtle had chosen our grassy path to dig in the saturated ground. Now box turtles are common throughout Northeast Pennsylvania, so her appearance was not unique to our neck of the woods. What made our meeting atypical was that she was digging to lay her eggs. Intent of digging, she ceased when I approached. If the spot she chose was satisfactory, she would soon be laying about five thin-shelled and leathery eggs. Once laid, she will leave, and the embryos will develop on their own in the summer heat.

Several years ago, we had found turtle eggs along the edge of a grassy field, and we placed mesh wire around it for protection against predators. All summer long we waited for their debut. Finally, in September, our wait was over. Five soft-shelled miniature turtles emerged with egg sacs intact. These served as nutrition prior to hibernation. We kept them only a few days before taking them to a swampy area. No bigger than a quarter, they appeared so fragile and helpless. But their best chance of survival was in their own habitat.

As I gazed upon this box turtle, working diligently at digging a hole with her hind feet, I couldn't help but wonder if we would once again experience the life cycle of the box turtle.