I was at Swanie Slough early this morning to see if I could capture some pictures of turtles. Yesterday, I noticed the sign posted near the slough telling visitors to be aware of the Turtle Study taking place through June. If you want to learn more about the turtle study going on at the slough, follow these links:

http://www.augustana.edu/x36235.xml Muir/Turtle Research

http://www.augustana.edu/x22118.xml Low-Temp and Hatchlings

Turtles remind me of my childhood growing up near Hockersmith’s Pond. We kids often encountered painted and snapping turtles in the yard or the ditch. As a child, I wanted to make friends with the former and avoid the latter.

I didn’t know what a ‘slough’ was until I moved near the Mississippi. I guess if these muddy places existed in Southern Iowa, we just called them ponds. So this is where I begin my summer diary—in the slough.

According to www.dictionary.com a slough is “an area of soft, muddy ground; swamp or swamp like region”. Also spelled slew or slue in some places, to describe “a marshy or reedy pool, pond, inlet, backwater, or the like.”

Let’s just say, I begin my summer spiritual journey on soft, muddy ground. I wanted my first pictures to be of  turtles, but they wanted no part of my turtle study. Each turtle dove into the water as soon as I came near. I drew this frog because he seemed to be a willing model.

I thank God for muddy places.