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Not the Purpose of a sand trap! . . But Nature was here first

By
Real Estate Agent with Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 REB.0759001

While approaching the ninth green at Crestbrook Park in Watertown Ct yesterday morning, I noticed what appeared to be debris at the top of a sand trap. As we had some heavy winds and rain the night before, I assumed that it was blown down from the big oak tree just to the left of the green.

As I got closer I noticed that the pile was moving, so it required a closer look.

A rather large turtle, of the snapping variety, decided this was an ideal place to make a nest for her eggs. This turtle was about 18" acrossit's back, with a head the size of a softball. Definitely not something I would be looking to have come near one of my fingers. I will need to take a look this weekend to see if the maintenance staff will try to close off that portion of the trap so that nature can run it's course.

Crestbrook Park is a public golf course in Watertown Ct. Along side the park and part of the acreage is Lake Merriman, which offers fishing, ice skating in the winter and nature trails through the back side of the golf course. There are all  manner of wildlife that can be found around the course, including a habitat for turtles. Mother nature always find a way to protect it's own. Maybe there will be a reprieve for the eggs in this trap.

 

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Edward (Ed) Silva
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Serving Central Connecticut Sellers and Buyers

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Mykel Martin
(909) 476-9600 ~ WeLoveSellingRealEstate.com - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Realty Masters & Associates

Wow - I hope they let it hatch the eggs and develop before moving mamma turtle! Did you check to make sure they were really eggs and not stolen golf balls? ;-)

May 28, 2010 08:52 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Bob, I'm not a beach person so getting near sand traps is not what I try to do. 

Rebecca, they can be aggressive if you get too close.

Gregory a snapping turtle can potentially be safer to deal with than some of the clients

Margaret, snakes and skunks are not what I would look for in nature

May 28, 2010 10:29 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Maureen, there are some turtles 'Painter's turtles' that can be taken home and survive, but again they are not what we should consider house pets.

Jeani, they are definitely taking to nest. This is the first time I've seem them in a trap, usually they are in the wooded ares near the lake.

Chris, she's gone, just the nest was left behind. Turtles hatch alone then find their way in the world.

Ellie, I tee off at 6:30 AM and am usually done by 10, so I don't steal much time. Besides I am often on the computer late at night, so this would be considered comp time.

 

May 28, 2010 10:33 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Wanda, it's probably best to leave the eggs where they are and shut down that portion of the trap. When a nest is made, a turtle looks for an area where there will be heat and soft sand for when the turtles hatch.

Mykel, I wasn't going any where near it. I try to stay out of as much sand on a golf course as possible.

May 28, 2010 10:35 AM
Chris Olsen
Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH
Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate

Wow -- that is one BIG turtle...I used to love playing with turtles as a kid, but surely not one of this size.  I hope the eggs survive and everything goes as nature and that specific turtle have planned.

May 28, 2010 10:37 AM
Jean Hanley
Coldwell Banker Kivett Teeters - Hemet, CA
Specializing in Folks Who Want To Buy/Sell Homes

Ha ha.....Lenn is absolutely right.  Better "SNAP" this one closed before PETA or another activist group gets wind of it.  Adorable photos

May 28, 2010 11:18 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

What I want to know is how you have time to golf? Hmmmm....I hope all goes well for Mamma Turtle...I didn't know there were turtles in CT?

May 28, 2010 11:27 AM
Christine Hynes
American Capital Corporation - Laguna Beach, CA
Orange County Senior Loan Consultant

Funny pictures Ed. Its all about the ducks on the golf course here in CA, I'm always worried they wont get out of the way in time!

May 28, 2010 11:33 AM
Kristen Wheatley
Better Homes & Gardens | The Masiello Group - Brunswick, ME
Supporting Success - Best Job in the World!

Seems like a much better use for the sand trap!  Can you tell I'm not a golfer?  One golf watching bird to another "Honest, they hit the ball away from themselves, then go get it, then hit it away again."

May 28, 2010 11:59 AM
Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

Oh....cute post today for sure.   Interesting place to nest for sure....Warm , soft, but one might get hit by a gold ball. Maybe the turtle should look for another house, "location is everything!" 

Patricia /Seacoast NH

May 28, 2010 01:40 PM
Rob Lang
At Home Kansas - Shawnee, KS
Local Expert in NE Central Kansas Real Estate Home

Fun story, thanks for sharing.  Hopefully mommy finds a way out when she's ready.

May 28, 2010 02:43 PM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

I hope they let her live there permanantly.  Let us know what happens.

May 28, 2010 03:08 PM
Jenny Kotulak
RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage - Oakville, ON
Broker - Oakville Ontario Real Estate

Good one Ed.  And good enough to get featured.  Very cool.  Aren't you glad you take that camera everywhere with you?

May 28, 2010 04:39 PM
Aaron Vaughn 830-358-0455
Conifer Builders LLC - Canyon Lake, TX

Ed: I thought you were egging me on here; turns out that I was rigght! Anyway, thanks for the light moment.

May 28, 2010 04:52 PM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

I was traveling down Rt. 68 the other morning in Wallingford and noticed the flashing lights of a police cruiser up ahead in the opposite lane. When I got near the cruiser I saw the reason for the commotion, a large turtle of the snapping variety was smack dab in the center of one lane. The officer was trying to "persuade" the critter to turn around with a snow shovel. He was holding the shovel with his arms out stretched as far as they would go. It was quite a comical scene. Turtle mothers must be out in force everywhere.

May 29, 2010 03:07 AM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

Oh my gosh Ed, look at the size of her! We hope they protect her little eggs, but will they survive? Guess you never know what you will see out there on the links.  Congratulations on the feature!

May 29, 2010 03:27 AM
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Ed, 18 inches across the back! I would let that turtle lay her eggs anywhere she wants. What would you have done it you put the ball in the sand trap next to her?

May 29, 2010 03:37 AM
Lynn Krogseng
Keller Williams Premier Partners - Vancouver, WA

The way my golfing goes, that turtle would probably have buried my golf ball...

May 29, 2010 04:36 AM
Ernie Steele
Lebanon, PA

One of the reasons I enjoy golf so much...Nature always surprises...Enjoy the day.

May 29, 2010 05:41 AM
Marcia Hawken
WILLIAM RAVEIS - Naples, FL
Naples Luxury Specialist

Ed, What is the rule in the rulebook on turtles?

May 31, 2010 12:57 PM