Mmm Mmm Good

Winter time is a great time for eating.  There doesn’t seem to be much else to do beside swim around the pond, after all.  It is cold outside and there is dormancy about the landscape.  My human does not much like the cold, nor do I.  Therefore, we stay inside.  This has given me plenty of time to brush up on my hunting skills.  

Where there once were three guppies, now there are none.  I have become quite frustrated with Ralph however - he is one of the goldfish my human tried to feed me… but he grew up before I could eat him.  The guy is a real pest.  He is always trying to get to my food while my human feeds me.  Sometimes I bite him.  Sometimes its not by accident.  He’s bruised up for sure, he just never learns.   While I have grown accustom to his presence, I am forever annoyed with him.

Turtles taste buds are different from humans in that they are not well developed.  Efficient enough… but that is all.  Only a few species of turtle even have taste buds.  So you can imagine how important it is to me to enjoy the things I can taste.  Like shrimp.  My human bought me some new shrimp the other day -

Looking forward to spring time when the clovers and the dandelions begin to bloom.  My human will surely pick them fresh and feed them to me.  If I’m lucky she will plant some grass in my tank soon.  I hear rumor that she’s thinking of modifying my space again.  This will surely lead to a fresh batch of goldfish.-  that should make it easier for me to catch Ralph... once I get just a little bit bigger.

Smells like...

Firewood and sea air.  A mist of the aroma of lavender floats through the room along with the sweet scent of Jamocha Haze - the vapor.  There is usually incense burning - Nag Champa - only the best, and a candle is lit in the corner - just because the ambiance a candle creates is so sensual.

My human keeps a nice environment.  My habitat is super cool too and I enjoy watching her live in hers as much as she enjoys watching me live in mine.  The neat thing is she not only keeps it neat and tidy, but it always smells good too!

Scent is a phenomenal conductor.  Biologically, there are pheromones.  The idea of these hormones is surely incorporated into the literal world of perfumes and colognes.  It’s no wonder you humans walk around smelling like flowers and such all the time.

In the natural world - otherwise known as the biological universe - we species of the earth use the instinct and God given sense of smell.  This is how we find our food and otherwise.  While our vision is best for all kinds of things that require senses, there is no denying the scent of a mate.  Compatibility.  Genetics.  Maybe in the case of a human, trust, honesty - while they go hand in hand - there is always the scent of dishonesty.  It is an intellectually instinctual capability.   Trust is earned, there should be no misinterpretations there.

The sense of smell is so very important to our daily lives.  All of us.  We may love the smell of roses and understand that the odor bacteria brings can mean danger but do we also know that our sensory organs related to our sense of smell also controls how we taste?  That is important - we will talk about the goldfish, Ralph, next week - I’m sure he is delicious - I can smell his blood when I bite at him for trying to steal my food.  Getting back to the point - beyond the scent of blood and perfume, I smell for my sense of surrounding.  One pond never smells like the next.  Especially after my pond is cleaned each week - always so fresh.

Wrapping up for this week - just remember your senses - all of them.  Nostrils are not just for breathing.  Pay Attention to the things your nose might tell you.

Who's Really Listening?

Yes it is true, I see you before I hear you - but I hear you just fine nonetheless.  I hear at higher frequencies than you do and will likely act on instinct through vibration before actually hearing anything - such as an approaching predator.

Research will tell you that turtles do not hear well…  

Who’s really listening anyway?  

Well, I’m listening - with my ears and my eyes.  If one should really pay attention - one can listen with ones heart.  If one should pay closer attention, one will hear with ones soul.  This is where the instinct comes in.  

Are you really listening?

--- It is said that turtles do not make any sound.  Well then, how on earth would we communicate? ---

The turtles’ ears are very complex and dynamic in their build.  It is no wonder we don’t hear all so well on land, but under water, significantly better.

Interesting facts relate to the idea that all turtles must be relative of an ancient ancestor which was surely aquatic, according to the way the ears have developed.  It is even thought that desert tortoises would hear better if they stuck their heads under water.

Have you heard? - Turtles do have ears.  And we can hear you too.  When you look closely, you may see me listening to you playing the guitar or writing a story out on the keyboard.  I’m very interested actually and I’ll even enjoy a little conversation from time to time.  Of course, you will need to do all of the talking.

I will listen.