Drive carefully on the Byway.

image courtesy of www.krittersinthemailbox.com

In addition to the usual runners and cyclists on the Byway, spring brings out the turtle to lay eggs in upland areas and geese with their family of fuzzy little goslings.  Be especially careful where the road passes near the river or the old canal.

Warm sunny days seem to be a favorite time to encounter wildlife on the roadway, especially for cold blooded creatures like amphibians.  Some of our Snapping Turtles are huge so if a motorist hits one they can cause serious damage to your under carriage.  Obviously this isn’t to good for the turtle or the eggs she’s trying to lay.   I advise against stopping and trying to help the turtle along.  These ugly snappers see you as a threat.  Their best defense outside of their ugly shell is to reach out and bite the threat.  An outstretched hand or a human ankle makes an excellent target for mother turtle’s powerful jaw.  And once clamped on she will not let go.

But look out for the smaller, more attractive box and pained turtles too.  Give them the right of way or drive well around her.  Likewise with ducks and geese with their new families.  Life’s lessons are hard enough for these animals without adding highway fatalities to their numbers unnecessarily.

The Byway is best enjoyed at a slower pace.  Slow down and enjoy the spring wild flowers and give the wildlife (bikers and pedestrians, too) a wide berth.