7/8/2006: Turtle at Discovery launch

Cellarites enjoyed a few images of the Discovery launch this week, but here's one from the wires that's a little different. Are these beasts pretty common to Florida?

Not to be saved for a Friday because... well, it's Saturday!

Undertoad, are you developing a reptile fetish?

That tortoise has a mighty sprite-ly jaunt, doesn't he? So cute! Lumbering away, inch by asphalt inch, making his dent in the world, while the silly rocketmen (the Hare in this analogy if you WILL) rush to the moon. My money has always been on the tortoise. Plus, slow and steady is a far better sex strategy than quick and all-over-the-place.

And, i like his toes.

Isn't he rather dangerously close?

I grew up in Florida. We called these Gopher Turtles and they were quite plentiful when I was a kid. At summer camp we would hold Gopher Turtle races; give them names like "Seatle Slow" and paint their shells. Jetty Park is as close as I ever got to a launch (saw the first moon launch from a highway that looked like a parking lot when I was 4), but I don't think I would want to be that close.

The press gets closer, don't they?
The turtle is a trotter not a pacer.

Anybody ever read Alice Hoffman's TURTLE MOON?

They are threatened now... some places they are plentiful but most they are rare. Very sad. When I was a kid they were everywhere. We have lots on our ranch and take care of them.

If you combine these last 2 images, it reminds me of a joke:

What did the snail on the turtle's back say?

Wheeeeee!

You know, I can't tell which way he's facing, but the 2 feet on the far end don't look like they're touching the ground. Holy cow, I think he's galloping!

You'd be galloping too if you heard, "5-4-3-2..."

The right rear is down and the left front is on the toenails/claws. The right front and left rear are mid-step. He's trotting.

Well Bruce if it is harness racing you want Tioga Downs finally reopened as a harness track.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce He's trotting.