Turtlesinger, Inc.


is a Federal 501(c)3 Public Charity - New Jersey Charities Registration # CH2998200
Mission Statement: To educate and entertain the public about turtles with original songs and/or live turtles.



December 15, 2021



Why it’s Really Called
Lizard Tail Swamp Preserve





Check out this part of the sign at the Preserve for the real reason besides lizards for its name: not a reptile, but a plant!


We took the approximately one and a half mile Blue Trail.


To see some of the sights we saw, SCROLL DOWN…



December 15, 2021



An Enticing Path





Although we had recently seen snow-covered woods in upstate New York at Thanksgiving time, here in the Cape May County Pinelands there were still splashes of bright-colored autumn leaves in some of the trees.


This path, however, shows one part of the typical pinelands wood trail.


For more of what we saw, SCROLL DOWN…



December 15, 2021



Bridge Not Over Troubled Water





New Jersey was (and still is) in need of rain, so the water that probably runs under this bridge was nonexistent at the time.


We’re interested in coming back in the spring—or after some wet weather to refill the streams!


It was hard for us not to imagine the numbers of reptiles and amphibians like snakes, box turtles, and frogs that we might see in the spring instead of during this December walk.


It was a really nice December walk, though, and free of much probably tick-laden vegetation at other times of year.


For another scene down the path, SCROLL DOWN…



December 15, 2021



A Mossy Path





Often the trail was lined with brilliant green moss on either side.


It was pointed out in another part of the sign at the entrance to the Preserve that the trail was easy on the feet and leg muscles due to the fact that the Preserve is on a forested freshwater wetland unique to the area.


The leaves are also slow to break down and the ground is firm while at the same time the spongey floor gives a little bounce to the walk.


To go further down the blue trail with us, SCROLL DOWN…



December 15, 2021



A Second Bridge





Yet another bridge took us over yet another dry area.


Again, we can’t wait to try this walk again after a good hard rain or two.


To give you an idea of just how tall some of the trees were, SCROLL DOWN…



December 15, 2021



Up and Up





Many of the trees were very tall. Before we continued down the path you can see on the left side of this video, we decided to try and give you some idea of just how tall some of the trees were.


You can also see some of the lingering colors of the fall foliage on some of the lower trees in this video.


Again, as we read on the entrance sign, the wet soil of this unique hardwood swamp fosters many trees including water oak and swamp cottonwood.


Local Folklore: the pine barrens are the birthplace of the so-called Jersey Devil!


For another look at this piney path, SCROLL DOWN…



December 15, 2021



Piney Path





Like many times exploring the natural areas of Cape May County since we retired from the construction office, this day was no different in that we heard no other human beings and enjoyed the quiet intimacy of the woods on this trail.


Maybe the people from the handful of other cars in the entrance parking lot all took the yellow trail.


We certainly look forward to exploring the yellow trail another time.


We don't anticipate seeing wild turtles in December. But we can still appreciate trees for all the ways turtles use them! If you haven't seen it already, or if you'd like a review, check out our April 30, 2021 Arbor Day blog. It features the Turtlesinger song Turtles and Trees with lyrics, and lists all sorts of ways turtles use trees.


For a touch of Christmas spirit in nature, SCROLL DOWN…



December 15, 2021



Jolly Holly





Great big holly trees were a common sight along the path, helping put us in the Christmas spirit with their green leaves and bright red berries!


We also saw profusions of pine cones along a part of the path.


For a final look at the path, SCROLL DOWN…



December 15, 2021



The Yellow Trail





The blue path eventually intersected with part of the yellow trail shown here, which took us to the parking lot.


Although the blue trail was listed as about a mile long, we figured after intersecting with this yellow trail it was maybe another half mile to get to the parking lot.


Finally, for a shot of the entrance/exit to the preserve, SCROLL DOWN…



December 15, 2021



Still Fall





The start of the preserve showed off beautiful fall foliage, reminding us that at least in Cape May County: it’s not winter yet!


Again, beautiful fall colors on certain trees along the trail still popped up here in December.


We can remember seeing some lingering beautiful fall foliage in Cape May County at Thanksgiving time, but are not as used to seeing it still here in December.


But these colorful leaves will eventually leave us, just like the changing birds with the season (case in point: we’ve seen only 1 great white egret from our marsh home since we got back from Thanksgiving).


Thanks for hiking yet another Cape May County trail with us, and thanks as always for reading.





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turtlesinger@hotmail.com | Phone: (609) 205-9248