Baby Turtles! Red-Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Yesterday's leech posting required a dose of "cute" for a follow up. You can't go wrong with baby turtles.

red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

swimming red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Whirligig Beetle, or Gyrinidae Beetle, (Dineutus sp)

Small and fast moving, these little aquatic beetles often swim in agitated circular patterns. They are so adept at avoiding predators, that getting close to one can be quite a challenge. Seen in detail, they have a surprising beauty and personality. 


whirligig beetles also called Gyrinidae beetles, (Dineutus sp)


They have divided compound eyes. The upper part of the eye sees above water while the lower part of the eye can see under the surface.



swimming whirligig beetle also called Gyrinidae beetle, (Dineutus sp)



swimming whirligig beetle also called Gyrinidae beetle, (Dineutus sp)

Pacific Lamprey - Important To Tribes Of The Columbia Basin

in the previous post I touched upon the ecological importance of pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentata), but did not mention how culturally important this fish is to native american tribes in the Columbia Basin. Lamprey are still collected at Willamette Falls in the spring by Warm Springs and other tribes, but as you head up river into the interior, lamprey are becoming quite scarce.

pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentata)

Elmer Crow Jr, a Nez Perce Elder and Technical Supervisor for the Nez Perce Department Of Fisheries told me about a time in his childhood when lamprey were an important source of food in winter. They contain more calories and protein than a typical salmon, and many tribe members depended upon the fish to make it through the lean times.

Elmer Crow Jr, a Nez Perce Elder and Technical Supervisor for the Nez Perce Department Of Fisheries holding a lamprey

Now Mr. Crow and other members of the Nez Perce are actively trying to re-establish populations of lamprey in their home country. By collecting stranded lamprey at Dams along the Columbia and releasing them into the clear water streams and tributaries in their tribal lands.

Pacific lamprey from the Columbia River

The hope is that eventually the population will re-bound and the Nez Perce and other tribes will be able to depend upon lamprey again. The rivers and other animals will benefit as well, as lamprey are a vital part of the ecosystem.