Roadside Swamp

January 1st, 2015 

Roadside Swamp

Walton County, Georgia

This roadside swamp is usually dry but showed some open water after recent heavy rainfalls. It holds some fond memories. Many years ago, the culvert that ran under the road was blocked and the swamp had a lot more open water and less vegetation. We used to photograph American Bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) that sunned themselves on a little island in the middle. On one occasion, I saw what looked like an old round dustbin lid. Then it moved. It was a very large Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina). Unfortunately, the county unblocked the culvert and this swamp has never been the same.