A first

I was going to share a really cool picture of our neighbor tomboy and the fort building but this just had to come first.

Imagine this, big fry and small fry walking through Reptile Gardens-which we go to multiple times a summer and see and do every inch of it. Now imagine hearing a strange noise, it is really indescribable-not a bellow or a moan but a NEW noise. It is coming from the usually quiet giant tortoise cage where we see a crowd gathered. I immediately think "Oh no, dying or mad tortoise, this cannot be good". As we approach I see a giant shell above the gate and on TOP of another shell-now another prediction comes to mind-ahhh it is coming to yours too I can see. The tourists are silent, taking pictures. I am not sure they know what they are videotaping being city slickers and all. The tortoise attendant silently watches on, I mean really, they have no script for this. Small fry looks at me and says "Wow what are they doing?" To the 11 year old, pre-puberty, all I-can-think-of-is-girls, nature loving, and very knowledgable future animal scientist there is no question and the shocked silence is broken with his giggle and a "Oh my gosh, I know what they are doing, they are mating" And with that the giant turtle falls over and almost on top if an unsuspecting tourist. Wouldn't that have made a great picture!