June 7, 2015

9am - George and I just arrived at the Manatee River. This is another river in which the Suwannee cooter is unknown. It is also about 25 miles south of the Alafia River, the southernmost river in its range. There is anecdotal information that they may be found here. 

9:45am - Today we are doing a shoreline survey of Alderman's Ford nature preserve. This is an area of trails along the river and it could be a potential nesting site. George found predated nest which could have been from any of the three Pseudenys species found here. 

We are back in business and my phone has been resurrected from a watery death. After having to abandon our survey of the entire Alafia River due to inclement weather, we decided to visit our good friend and world-renowned turtle biologist Peter C. H. Pritchard.  

June 2, 2015

8:30pm - Had a half good day and a half bad day of fieldwork today. Today was overcast and cooler so only a couple turtles were basking. Also it rained for four hours along our approximately five mile paddle. We did get another yearling Suwannee cooter in hand which was great. 

The first day of the survey for Suwannee cooters in the Alafia River was a success. Please enjoy this mini-travelogue of the day's adventure.