Something exciting happened today

Yes, have you ever seen in nature a turtle laying eggs? I love nature. I love animals. Can't help thinking ... this was a one of a kind experience.

We woke up this morning thinking "wow, nothing pressing on the calendar". We have been so busy lately. One reason: the position of secretary in our church is open. That keeps me busy, mainly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. After our first and second cup of tea we decided to go to the botanical garden. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (LGBG) is not far and we have a membership which means you don't feel like you have to spend the whole day to make your visit worthwhile. There is always something different blooming. We saw the daffodils. We saw the tulips. I thought it must be the peonies turn now.

They open at 9 am and that was when we were there about.

Always have to peak at the orchids. They are kind of at the end of their season now but this plant was something we had not seen before. A gardener told us that the "Showy Melastome" (Medinilla magnifier from the Philippines) is a very slow grower and quite difficult. So, that was nice to see.

Peonies scattered around.

We admired the yellow peonies because I had never seen one in yellow. There was just a little tour group stopping at the same time and the guide told her group that it is a tree peony and yellow is rare. She pointed out the wooden part which doesn't disappear like with others which totally die down every winter. 

Yes, and right next to it next to the footpath was a turtle, obvious a pond one. What would it do quite far (for its little legs) from the pond? 

It had dug a hole and was laying eggs! Can't help it. I was excited to witness it. How often do you have that chance?

Of course I had to take some videos:

2021-05-20 LGBG turtle laying eggs 1     (0:48)      from the front

2021-05-20 LGBG turtle laying eggs - 2     (1:00)     you can see it more clearly from the back.

2021-05-20 LGBG turtle laying eggs - 3     (0:52)     she is finished and closing the nest.

We gave the turtle her peace and walked on. I am not font of white flowers but these with the yellow center are pretty like sunny-side-up fried eggs.

I find the section with the pitcher plants always very interesting. Unusual looking. Standing water. Not in our gardens.

On our way back past the turtle. Just before this photo I took video # 3 and she was finished. I was surprised that she actually moved pretty fast.

Now, here is my question: when the little ones hatch, how do they know in which direction the pond is? And which pond since there are several? Another question: how many eggs might there be? Googled! Pond turtles might lay up to 9 or 13. Snapping turtles 20-40 but I don't think that is what it was.

Viewing the last peony close to the exit and time to leave.

We felt so lucky.