Red Bellied Cooter

Mountain Laurels Bloom

Mountain laurels finally bloom

Mountain laurel flowers open up and it happens around late may to early june. They come in both pink and white. The flowers die off quickly by July.

Newly bloomed pink mountain laurels Warm early summer white mountain laurel cluster Pink mountain laurel bush during late May White mountain laurels on velvety leaves

Mountain laurels have velvety leaves and the plant itself can sometimes reach 15 feet tall.

Red Bellied Cooter

The red bellied cooter is a turtle with a tiled fractioned shell and a distinct bright orange or red belly, giving it its name. These turtles prefer a swampy environment, making the swamps of the pinelands a great home for them.

Red bellied cooter Red bellied cooter by swamp in Franklin Parker Preserve