Conservation and Farming Don't Mix

It has been revealed that there is "much room for improvement" in the way the turtles are cared for at the Cayman Island turtle farm. All I can think is, who believed a farm could sell turtle meat for food AND save the species at the same time? Not me. 

Inside the Cayman Islands' sea turtle tourist trap

Etsy Artist of the Week - TJ Lubrano

My lovely friend, TJ Lubrano, has allowed me to share this beautiful turtle painting.  It isn't for sale (yet) at her etsy shop, but she does do commissions...

You Tube Tuesday - Therapy Turtle

If only I had started teaching Pokey tricks when she was younger...

Josh from "Its Tiger Time" invented You Tube Tuesday so we could each share one video a week which we found to be fun, inspiring or otherwise noteworthy.  If you choose to participate, don't forget to leave your links in my comments section (so I can come visit you) and on Josh's page (so you can be part of the contest).  I hope you like this week's selection!

You Tube Tuesday - More Skateboarding Turtles!

Continuing the skateboarding turtle theme from last week, here's a little more of a wild ride!

  
Josh from "Its Tiger Time" invented You Tube Tuesday so we could each share one video a week which we found to be fun, inspiring or otherwise noteworthy.  If you choose to participate, don't forget to leave your links in my comments section (so I can come visit you) and on Josh's page (so you can be part of the contest).  I hope you like this week's selection!

This Moment - New T-Shirt

Sorry for the poor quality camera phone shot. I wanted you all to see my new shirt! Happy Friday

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You Tube Tuesday - Proving Pet Turtles are Fun

I hope you will agree that this week's video squashes the myth that having a pet turtle is no fun.

Josh from "Its Tiger Time" invented You Tube Tuesday so we could each share one video a week which we found to be fun, inspiring or otherwise noteworthy.  If you choose to participate, don't forget to leave your links in my comments section (so I can come visit you) and on Josh's page (so you can be part of the contest).  I hope you like this week's selection!

Turtle Crossing

Sometimes slight modifications are all it takes to save an animal population. Vermont knows that. So, they created little tunnels under a stretch of train tracks where the turtles needed to go from one swamp to another. Bravo!!!

New crossing allows turtles to travel in peace - Brattleboro Reformer

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You Tube Tuesday - Wrap Rap

Josh from "Its Tiger Time" invented You Tube Tuesday so we could each share one video a week which we found to be fun, inspiring or otherwise noteworthy.  If you choose to participate, don't forget to leave your links in my comments section (so I can come visit you) and on Josh's page (so you can be part of the contest).  I hope you like this week's selection! 

THIS MOMENT - The Flea Market

THIS MOMENT – A Friday ritual.

Photos – no words – capturing moments from the week.

Simple, special, extraordinary moments.

Moments you want to pause, savour and remember.

 

“This Moment” was introduced to me by Sarah-Jane of Almost There and Alejandro of Raising Amelie

 

 

Turtle Telepathy?

I've just learned that turtles talk to each other to coordinate when they hatch. How awesome is that?! Life continues to prove that the oldest species may be the wisest.

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Farewell Turtle Dreams

Image © Rachel Hoyt.  All rights reserved.

I'm one of those people that knows you have to live life today or you'll miss out on the special moments, but somehow, despite living near it for 15 years, I failed to visit Turtle Dreams before it closed.  I've heard about the "place in Montecito for rescued turtles" for years and wished I could build an extravagant enclosure for my turtle Pokey for even longer, but somehow I never tried to visit until last week.  Jeanie Vaughan rushed to answer the my call just ten seconds after the answering tape began, but moments later her tired yet cheerful voice told me it was not a good time for me to visit because they were closing down. 

Jeanie and her husband Dennis retired to Montecito in 1995 with 15 turtles.  By 2008 they had built their own private zoo and were caring for 500 rescued turtles and tortoises.  These days it is just Jeanie, her daughter Christy, and community support that care for the elaborate collection.  Jeanie says she has friends all over the world helping her find new homes for the turtles and tortoises currently living with her.  I hope that wherever they go, they will always remember the woman who showed them a small slice of heaven, but feel equally pampered, loved and nurtured by their new environment.

I think the thing that is hardest about loving turtles is knowing that if you nurture them well, it is highly likely they will outlive you.  It is every parent's worst nightmare to leave their child penniless and forced to take care of themselves.  Nearly every turtle owner must face this terror, or worse, the knowledge that their inadequacies as a caretaker may have shortened the life of a mystical creature.

Jeanie, Dennis and Christy Vaughan have offered a dreamlike experience to turtles and turtle lovers for over a decade.  Pokey and I wish to thank them for their years of service.  Your contribution to turtle and tortoise conservation will not be forgotten.


FOOTNOTES:

An anonymous commenter below states that they are close friends with Jeanie Vaughan and that she wants the public to know she is not closing down completely.  Call Turtle Dreams at (805)969-5128 for more information.


Topaz & Tillman saw this post and wanted to say thank you to Jeanine for finding them a lovely home.

When Turtles Fly

Image by Arvind Balarman via freedigitalphotos.net

Ok, so I hardly play video games these days because I don't have time, but I might have to download this one:  When Turtles Fly.  It looks like I would get to fly a turtle rocket around the sky blowing things up while earning cash to buy upgrades and more for my amphibian space craft.  Plus, it's currently free on iTunes.  Are you thinking twice about this or rushing over for a "few minutes" of childlike fun like me?

Silly Stink Pot Smuggler

I've just learned of a very interesting type of African turtle - the stink pot turtle.  I know you are probably thinking that is a mean name, but what would you name a turtle that emits a foul smell when stressed?  Now, although this characteristic could be helpful for teaching amateur turtle owners when their pet needs attention, I still can't believe someone was dumb enough to attempt to smuggle them.  Did they really think their luggage wouldn't stink up the plane and draw attention?  At least the story has a happy ending... the turtles are happily swimming at an aquarium in Hampshire and the smell, like Elvis, has left the building.

Turtle Woodcut Print

 Buy this print at Veal Kutlet's shop on Etsy

I am always amazed at the beautiful things I find when I search for turtle items on Etsy.  Today I found this fabulous woodcut print.  I thought it was amazing enough to deserve a bit of extra advertising.  Perhaps it is a portrait of Pokey's ancestors?   Only the artist knows her muse....  Beautiful work Ms. Veal Kutlets!

An Easter Feast

I learned something new today... For the citizens of one South American country, Iguanas, Turtles and Giant Rodents are the key to a proper Easter feast. I hardly know what to say except isn't it illegal yet? The thought of turtle soup makes me sad.

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The Conclusion of Pokey vs. New Zealand

by Rachel Hoyt

Image by kongsky via freedigitalphoto.net

Pokey started talking to me again this morning and, as often happens after a bout of silence, she had sincere wisdom to share with me.  She admitted she was jealous and didn't want any other animal or insect to rank above her on the coolness pyramid.  I comforted her the same way men comfort us ladies... "Oh Pokey dear.  Don't be silly.  No one could ever take your place." and gave her a kiss on the nose.  Unfortunately, when it was Pokey's turn to speak, the bottom line was revealed.  The fact is, I don't have enough money to buy a plane ticket at the moment.  My designated travel savings consists of a jar full of change interspersed with a few dollar bills of different denominations.  Despite the fact that there are some very affordable package deals available, I don't have enough yet.  But, if anyone would care to bribe a writer with an all inclusive trip, I am avaialable... assuming I can get the time off work...  I can tell the world about your country through letters to Pokey or using my rhyming poetry.  For now I'll just have to dream of the Jaffa Roll, building my own spa at hot beach, and seeing creatures that have lived since the time of dinosaurs... and get back to writing about turtles instead of my crazy conversations with Pokey... unless, of course, you want those to continue too...

Turtle Craft of the Day

Oh how I wish I had more free time!  I hardly find time to crochet these days, but I would still REALLY like a copy of this pattern to keep around for that random day in the future when I'm ready to make a little crochet baby pokey.  SO CUTE!!!  Visit bvoe668's shop on etsy to purchase this or other cute crochet animal patterns... monkeys and kangaroos and more.  Oh my!   

Terrified Turtles

Cheers to Donna, the turtle lady. She was watching over 40 turtles at the time of the Christchurch earthquake. After enduring the destruction of their aquariums and an interim period of plastic tub and shared tank time, the turtles are now on the way to their new home in Napier! Pokey and I salute the turtle lady for her amazing rescue efforts. She has already begun taking in new turtles at her home. Busy, busy, busy...

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Thursday Dedication

Jessica of Finding One's Way has started a new Thursday blogging event to encourage bloggers to tell others about their favorite blogs and... she dedicated the first one to Rachel and Pokey! Come read for a while...

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Pokey's First Softshell Turtle Friend

Pokey made a friend!  Lisa has a pond in her back yard where this Florida Softshell Turtle lives with a few chicken turtle friends.  Softshell Turtles like to bury themselves in the sand, but this one always comes out when Lisa wanders over to the pond because she brings bread.  Normally this turtle feasts on fish, frogs and other pond inhabitants, but we all have our empty calory indulgences, right? Perhaps this softshell was a duck in its past life and simply cannot give up it's bread addiction?  All I know is we shouldn't knock the food choices of one of the prime turtle food targets.  Softshell turtles are being hunted all over Florida right now because companies in Asia are willing to pay top dollar for their meat.  Thank you Lisa for keeping Pokey's Softshell Turtle friend safe!  :)

If you would like to thank Lisa for sharing her turtle photos, you can visit her at her blogs:  The Diet Talk, What I Love About Painting, and How Do I Get Whiter Teeth.