Video: Even More Turtle Tours, 2025 (1 and 2)

Two Turtle Tours for the Price of One!

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You

I spotted this little guy - with a crusty attitude - on the walking path

just north of Blackfriars Bridge

Introduction:

The following two links will take you to 'turtle tour' videos on Gord's YouTube Channel:

1. Even More Turtle Tours, 2025 (1)

2. Even More Turtle Tours, 2025 (2)

More 'Turtle Tours' will soon follow, especially if London's turtles catch an early bus back from Florida, Texas, or Mexico, some of their favourite wintertime destinations ; )

Please visit YouTube (simply google @7GHarrison) to view more of Gord's highly-educational, occasionally humorous, timely and vastly interesting (and short!) videos.

Questions and/or comments can be addressed to Gord at gordh7700@gmail.com

Photos and Videos GH

Videos: More Turtle Tours, 2024 (9 and 10)!!

Video 9 - "Snappers and a Red-Eared Slider"

Video 10 - "Turtles Come in SIZE LARGE"

Large snappers are coming and going in the Thames River, London

Introduction:

My YouTube channel is growing every month and I think it's related to the warming weather or climate. Turtles are cold-blooded and love to bask on large rocks near their home whether it be a stream, river or pond. And we have all of those settings (good turtle habitat) in London ONT. 

In this city I also enjoy excellent walking trails, e.g., the Thames Valley parkway (TVP) and during several weekly walks I am able to spot turtles without leaving the trail adjacent to 'The Mighty Thames'. (Though, I often do leave the trail to try to get closer to turtles before they hear or see me, which is almost impossible). 

Visible from a worn trail 25m from the TVP

Please click here to view "More Turtle Tours, 2024 (9)" on YouTube

And please click here to view "More Turtle Tours, 2024 (10)" on YouTube

So big it broke the diving board? Could be!

Still into Turtles? Wow! Please click here to view "More Turtle Tours, 2024 (8)".

Temperatures are rising, numbers of sightings are too, so, more tours will follow.

Please click here to read more about invasive species like the Red-Eared slider.

Still want to see more turtles? What?!? Visit my YouTube channel @7GHarrison

Questions or comments can be sent to email: gordh7700@gmail.com

Photographs by GH

Videos by GH

"Welcome Back, I Say!": More Turtle Tours, 2024 (8)

 Spring Arrived March 7, 2024, and So Did London's Turtles

Then Winter Returned, Turtles Went into Hiding. And Then....?

"London's weather is crazy!" says the young snapper

Introduction:

As I went for my daily walks in March and April I spotted turtles, then I didn't (repeat the process) due to changing weather patterns. Fortunately, turtles are a hardy breed and they are out and about in their regular spots. I am also exploring new 'Turtle Territory' with some success.

Please click here to view my latest "Turtle Tours" video on YouTube.

Lovely turtle habitat one-half mile from my front porch!

I will visit the above site on a regular basis this year, maybe with a new, bigger camera lens. (Yup, I'm savin' up!")

Please click here to view More Turtle Tours, 2024 (7) by G. Harrison.

Photos by GH

Video by GH

"Yes! They're Back!": More Turtle Tours, 2024 (7)

 Finally, London's Turtles are All Back from Florida!

Excitement Runs High!

Did you know? An award winning turtle from 2023!

Introduction:

I wasn't on hand when the 'turtle bus' (as it's known to 1,000s of Londoners!) arrived from Florida in early March (I missed my own "Note to Self"!) but I did spot a few between March 7 - 10, and those first shots appear in the video below!

New Note to Self - Don't forget to mention that I was so excited I goofed up my "first turtle of 2024 photograph of the year"... I got the jitters I think.

As well, I feature a few award winners from 2023 - a banner year if there ever was one, and there was. I predict, from what I've seen so far, i.e., between March 7 and April 3, this year will also be a banner year and there will be even more award winners than last year. 

Please click here - YouTube Turtle Tours (7) - to view some of London's finest specimens.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZMZo3FeP1k]

This guy is giving me the old stare down!

It's rare. It might be the first turtle not to hear me coming!

One of my goals for 2024 is to find new basking spots for turtles.

I think I'll go deeper into The Coves, above

Please click here to view "The Herons Are Coming!": More Turtle Tours, 2024 (6)

Photos by GH

Video by GH

"The Herons Are Coming!": More Turtle Tours, 2024 (6)

Yes, London's Turtles are Still Vacationing in Florida

But I Found a Few More Photos from 2023

A large snapper finds its way through a murky pond

Introduction:

The month of March, 2024, had weather one could easily describe as "up and down," "spring-like and wintery," "Oh this is so lovely and warm, but why is it snowing tomorrow!" and "It's raining icicles. What the heck!"

In early March a few turtles arrived by bus from Florida and made their way to their spring and summer homes. They basked for a few days and then an ice storm drove them to find cover. Here it is, early April, and they are just starting to poke their noses outside again.

Please click on the YouTube link below to view a few sterling photos of last year's crop of turtles, all found at The Coves or in the Thames River - within close walking distance of the Thames Valley Parkway.

Click here - YouTube link for Part 6 

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k6496G95hs]

One of my goals in 2024 is to find new basking sites where some

of London's turtles like to hang out

Another goal is to look at the prices of "the next size up"

for Zoom lenses for my camera. "Gotta get closer!"

Hmmm. And a kayak would be nice.

Photo: North of Oxford St. GH

Please click here to view "There's A Variety In Store": More Turtle Tours, 2024 (5)

Photos by GH

Video by GH

"There's A Variety In Store": More Turtle Tours, 2024 (5)

Soon to be Seen at a Movie Theatre Near You (Maybe!)

Featuring Turtles, Geese and a Longnose Gar

Really, I am right about the longnose gar!

Introduction:

No bus from Florida. No turtles wearing brightly coloured T-shirts marching toward the Thames River.

There are, however, more photos of turtles to turn into short (and highly entertaining) videos for YouTube.

Featuring geese, just a few

Featuring this snapper, with a reddish-tinge

A snapper hangs its head; a spiny soft shell gloats! "Turtle Rock is all mine, Bub!"

Please click here to view Gord's latest 'Turtle Tour' video - "There's A Variety In Store" - on YouTube.

Please click here to view Gord's previous video "Mysteries in The Murk."

Video by GH

Photos by GH

"Mysteries in The Murk": More Turtle Tours, 2024 (4)

What Lurks in The Murks? The Nose Knows!

A stealthy hunter lurks in South Murk near Springbank Drive

Introduction:

There will be no one happier than me when London's turtles step off the bus from Florida with suitcases in hand, stuffed full of cheap souvenirs and weak American beer, and crass T-shirts ("DeSantis Sent Us!") but colourful sun shirts on their backs. 

I'll be there to greet them. "Want a lift to the nearest crick or to Turtle Point?"

A few will surely say, "To the North Murk for us. Know the way?"

Of course I know the way.

The North Murk still a bit chilly. Give it a couple of months, eh!

"To the South Murk for me," a wise old snapper will say

The South Murk won't be iced over in late March, early April

Oh, I'll be a-waiting

Please click here to view Gord's latest YouTube video.

Please click here to view "Where Are You Turtles?" by GH

Video produced by GH

Photos taken by GH

"Where Are You Turtles?": More Turtle Tours, 2024 (3)

I've Heard London's Turtles Will Return from Florida by Bus!

Says the guy on the left, "Don't you just love the smell of French Fries?"

Introduction:

I'm counting down the days until London's turtles step off the bus from Florida and jump into the Mighty Thames River... less than a mile from my house.

Until then I will continue to share a few more photographs from my 2023 "Turtle Tours" collection. Okay, when I say 'a few' I really mean a few hundred, but 25 - 30 at a time, along with some rare shots never-before-seen. 

For example:

Back to back herons standing guard over their pet turtles?

The "Monster From The Deep!"

"The End Is Near" (except the end of my 'foto files')

Click on "Where Are You Turtles" to find my latest video on YouTube. More videos can be found on my channel @7GHarrison

Please visit "Come On You Turtles": More Turtle Tours, 2024 (2) for more views of London's prolific turtles (including some very rare shots).

Photos by GH

Videos by GH

iMac Videos: Turtles and Port Bruce

What's Not to Love? 

100s of gulls and one black cormorant make Pt. Bruce their home

Introduction:

The regular turtle tours I take (a fun and fitness walk with a camera or two) are usually 8 km. jaunts - oh, I'm jaunty all right! - from my front porch to Gibbons Park and back. 

Occasionally I'll drive 61 Km. to Port Bruce for ice cream. No photos allowed because I'm too busy with a large-sized waffle cone of Key Lime!

Below you will find two recently-made videos from a few dozen still photos. Music supplied by my good friends Bob Dylan (yes, that Bob Dylan), Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland aka 'Whitehorse,' a Canadian duo:

YouTube link - I'm Living Downtown, accompanied by Whitehorse

These guys have found a great place to catch a few rays

YouTube link - Pt. Bruce - It's About Time and Place, accompanied by Bob Dylan

Please click here to view more videos from August 2022 - Turtles on the Thames, Parts 4 and 5.

More to follow in September, I am sure.

Photos and Videos GH

Videos: Turtles on the Thames (Parts 4 and 5)

 The Thames River is Miles Long in Ontario

The Section I Travel is About 2 Km Long!

A red-earred slider swimming near Blackfriars Bridge

Introduction:

The more I walk along the Thames River the more turtles I spot. My eyes are getting used to them even though their silt-covered shells often blend in with the rocks upon which they perch to catch the sun.

They are good listeners and their own eyes are always on the alert. If I talk to another turtle-watcher in too loud a voice, too bad for me. And they usually see me before I see them and can drop into the water in mere seconds. 

Here are a few recent photographs and two videos that includes them and more:

Please click here to view more videos with more turtles from London Ontario. 

Yup, more will likely follow because it's 'turtle season', you know.

Photos, Videos by GH

Videos: Turtles on the Thames River

There are Many Turtles on the Thames River in London

Common Map or Northern Map turtles - the whole family?!

Introduction:

The walks I take beside the north branch of the Thames River were initially a part of my fun and fitness routine. But once I started spotting turtles - inspired by a photo of two or three turtles resting on a log - I started carrying a camera or two, and the stills started to pile up. Next came a rudimentary video or two, and more followed. 

And now, a few more:

Questions or comments can be addressed to GH at gordh7700@gmail.com

Adobe Spark videos are easy to make using a free app - Spark Videos

Please click here to view more short videos related to turtles in London ONT.

More to follow, I bet.

Photos, Videos by GH

Turtle Tours: Videos, Thames River, London ONT (1)

 A Variety of Turtles Thrive Near the Downtown

Spiny Soft Shell (left) and a Common Map Turtle park beside the Thames 

River across from Harris Park. More photos here: Turtle Tour Photos Pt. 1

Introduction:

Is 2022 a banner year for local turtles for some reason? Though I'm not up to the latest, I do know that other excellent photos of turtles (and much more) appear on "London Area Wildlife Network L.A.W.N." 

I also know that turtles are pretty interesting creatures: They hear me before I see them, they can hit the water in mere seconds if they feel threatened, and there are some old Snapping Turtles in the Thames that look prehistoric.

Near the TVP (north), Baldwin Flats. HUGE! Photo 2021 GH

Recently I decided to turn some of my photos into short videos:

More to follow.

Please click here to view several photographs 'from along the way', taken Thames Valley Parkway (north), near Harris Park, Blackfriars Bridge and Oxford Street, about a 15 - 30 minute walk from the heart of Wortley Village.

Got an hour? Be sure to pack a camera or two : )

Photos, Videos by GH