Itinerant snapper. The snapping turtle I photographed was resting on a rural roadside on a mild, showery afternoon. Counseled to remove reptiles and amphibians from harm’s way—without removing them from locales where we find them—I had a problem.

It’s just as important to reorient rescued frogs and turtles in the directions they were traveling. But aligned parallel to the road, was this snapper heading for the Delaware River, down below, or across the road to a large pond? Or was it seeking suitable soils in which to deposit up to 80 round, leathery eggs?

Mindful of the rugged river terrain, I finally secured the snapper by its tail, and keeping a gaping mouth at arm’s length, I set it afloat on the pond.

Later that evening, I learned from local rehabilitator Kathy Michelle that it’s “a little early for turtles to be laying eggs,” and that many species are “moving around at random,” often in search of food.

I urge readers to be mindful of this, and to drive gently on rural roads.

Tracking spring. Readers may now track spring plants and animals on our Butterfly Barn website, week by week. Texts and color photos, many from River Talk, can be found in “Field Notes” at butterflybarn.org.