The garden at Old Smicksburg Park is dedicated to the former residents who once lived in this area. In the 1940s when the land was condemned for flood control purposes many fine homes and businesses were lost.
This Box Turtle decided to stop for a nap while crossing a rural dirt road in Indiana County. We moved it off the road so that it could continue to enjoy its nap in safety. Early June is when Box Turtles are often on the move, females to lay eggs and males to seek out other mates.
The Wolf Spider is the only spider that carriers its eggs in a round silken globe attached to her abdomen. After a gestation period of 9 to 27 days which varies depending on the temperature, the eggs hatch and the infant spiders move onto the mother's back until they are old enough to hunt on their own. Photographed at Blue Spruce Park, hiding under a rock along a gas well access road.
