no where fast

I was out running on a trail this week and this little fellow was crossing the trail. As soon as I came upon him he immediately went back into his shell. So I stopped and put my camera as close as he would allow me without completely closing up for the day.


His instincts and default system tells him to retreat, to hide, to go underground when anyone approaches. It made me think how depressing it would be, to be a turtle. Forward progress is always thwarted when anything enters your path. He would rather sit in the way in the middle of a path or in the middle of the road than to take  a chance to cross the path. He would rather risk getting crushed then to go for it. He would rather stop and remain stationary until it is safe to move on. How pathetic is that? 


I wondered what I would do if I ever saw a turtle standing on its rear legs with a hatchet on the offense instead of on the defense? I wondered if a turtle ever considered going for it, instead of retreating? I wondered if they began life in the retreat mode or if it was modeled in front of them by momma and poppa turtle? I wondered if a turtle ever said enough of this nonsense of hiding and stood his ground. 


Just some crazy thoughts as  I ran away to complete my run. I know I would never make a good turtle. I hope I never end my life this way. Maybe that is how snapping turtles came to be. Maybe they said enough of this nonsense. 


Moving on, hopefully not at a turtle's pace...