SHARON WOODS

There are a couple of things to be learned from my pictures below taken last week at Sharon Woods.  There is always something to learn.

First, the lake is now full of ash trees that the park district is felling.  Its a mess.  Trees are laying all over the place.  I guess its good for the turtles and maybe some fish, but it is ugly.   

Second, the lake is full of turtles.  These turtles live in the water but cannot stay under water like fish.  They breathe with lungs, not gills.  They are good swimmers but have to keep their heads above water to breathe.  What they enjoy most is sunning themselves in a location where their predators cannot get them - like a log in the water.  If they sun themselves on the shore, they jump in the water when you near them.  You can watch them fighting for a good spot.  Little ones have a heck of a time trying to get up on the logs.  Its fun to watch.  Notice that the big ones even stretch out their back legs to get the sun.

'o.o'