Three mornings a week, I walk with my friend in a local park. Last weeks we walked right up to a turtle, who apparently was going to cross the path at some point, but had decided it needed thinking about as we approached.
That is an Eastern Box Turtle, for your information. A male of the species. You can tell that he is a male because he has red eyes. She said all eruditish, because she googled it and read half an article and looked at lots of turtle pictures.
There is something utterly delightful about seeing an animal in the wild. Particularly one which you rarely see. We have often seen deer in this wood. Last year a doe had twin fawns. They were so beautiful and lovely to see. I’m afraid my picture of them isn’t great.
The walk was initially a prescription by my doctor for stroke prevention. Because I had the stroke and didn’t know it. It turns out that’s bad and a sign of poor choices and a good indicator of future strokes. So instructions were given to start moving. I started to walk. And it has been such a boon to my mental health. Honestly, I have quite forgotten that I’m doing it to prevent strokes.
I walk for my bones, at least initially. Now I walk because it just feels good!
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It really is just a lovely thing to do.
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That walk looks lovely and green. I always liked taking walks. Now that I have dogs, I have company. It’s a little less restful, though, especially when they see a squirrel.
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The pattern on yon zombie tortoise are spectacular. 🙂
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They really are quite glamorous. 😄
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The Japanese call it Shinrin Yoku – Forest Bathing !
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I love that!
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I was already smiling at the title and the idea of turtles being able to surprise anyone. That looks like a lovely park. I walk daily too, at the beginning, mostly for the dog. But I’ve found the walks have become vital for my mental health too.
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I’ve read how exercise is the best medicine for depression for years but more or less dismissed it until I experienced it. It really helps me a lot
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