All the pictures (except the lower right) were taken May 12, 2007 with a Kodak 3900 digital. So you know the power of the zoom is low end. The lower right was taken a few days before. I hesitated posting this as I thought others might find it morbid. But, I am Mohawk from the Turtle Clan and decided I would post to honor the passing of The Great One. As I came upon this scene I thought a child had lost their stuffed dinosaur. Walking closer I thought, Gee what detail in the material that was used, the child mustve been really upset to lose it. So me being me and seeing the Loch Nest Monster in our lake began taking pictures. The wind blew and the ripples in the water brought it a little closer. That is when I realized it was something real. An elderly couple saw me taking pictures and told me it was The Great Onea turtle. They had told me how the day before it was floating with the shell up and it was bigger than Turtle Rock (where the other and smaller ones sun bathe~ lower right). As I walked the clouds gave a wonderful reflection in the water and I thought how it looked as if he/she made its voyage in the heavens too. To give you an idea how big it is, if I put my hands around its neck my fingers would barely meet. Ive seen some large Snapping Turtles in my time. (I have 5 brothers, they were always catching them and trying to scare me with them as a child). But never have I seen one this big. My best guesstimate would be that it was nearly three feet long just from what was showing in the water. As we talked I remarked at how quiet the lake was that day. Not a bird was on the lake. The Geese had just started migrating back and were across the road. The couple said the geese had been there all morning. The ducks were at the other end of the lake on the banks. The Egrets had gone elsewhere, which was strange because they had just stocked the lake a few days before with 1500 trout. Our neighborhood Heron (which is usually perched on the pier) wasnt there. Even the birds in the trees were quiet. Marvin the Muskrat was no-where to be found and it was the time of day you would see him foraging. The other turtles werent out bathing. We came to the conclusion that nature in her spirit was honoring the turtles passing. I believe animals have a sense of death, and whether it is because of what ever it was the caused the demise of The Great One or that it is their way of respecting it, the lake was quiet all that day and the next. It was 2 oclock in the afternoon and this lake is bustling with natures activity at this time of day. I knew no one in my house would believe me if I told them so I decided to take a picture of the lake to show just how quiet the lake was. Thank you in advance for letting me share this with you. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. ~Michelle~

Beautiful story and images! Great honouring!

{@}>---Hello my dear friend, This is truly beautiful, Absolutely fantastic!!!!. Wonderful work an excellent photography as usual, Congratulations! All you artwork is Very Beautiful!! It is a real pleasure to visit your gallery A million stars from me!!! *** That this Saturday be a beautiful day for you (Thank you so much for your encouraging comments) Hug and giant kiss in Your heart. Luminous blesing. Ludy@>--->---

I see no fish jumps too. must had the respedt of all animals around there

Very unique pic, Michelle. I wonder if the other animals do detect certain things like this, of which your speaking. It would be great to really know. Love your pics. Huggs...Silkylady...

I'm not so far from Silklady words ! Thanks for the pict and respect for this last and lonely voyage . . . . .

and with number 4 life goes on...as it must...

A sad passing indeed!

It's always sad "death"that is no matter who,what.where> RIP little one:

Nice collage, sad but life must go on.

Wow hon, that is powerful. So sad for the turtle but perhaps he/she had a long life and spawned many proginy. The spirits smiled on you :)

The great circle of life is complete for this one as will be the case for all creatures. It's a bit sad in a way.. but every life has a story to tell.. a beginning, a middle and an end. The world is rich with these stories. Too bad we seldom stop and think about that. What adventures did this fellow endure? How many fights and how many prizes did he find over his life. Big turtles have very long lifes.. Perhaps he's been here since your grand parents day. The stories it could tell if it could but speak. I assume it died of natural causes because it has very few enemies. Anyway, awesome tribute to a great old animal. Hugs from Dave :^)