Magellan

While the world is in turmoil, we seem to be continually struck by the wonder of nature on our hilltop in Northumberland County. Earlier this past summer I was working in the garden when a passing glance saved me from stepping on a small painted turtle. It was huddled in its palm-sized shell, trying to hide on a piece of limestone that edges one of our gardens. 
Although the occasional frog makes its way up our hill from distant marshland across fields of hay and a gravel road, this visitor was a first for us. Perhaps these creatures smell water, however tiny the source. For we have a bathtub-sized pond in our garden. But why trade a large marsh for such a venue. 
I picked up the magnificent creature in my hand. I carefully carried it to this small pond and set it on one of the large waterlily pads. It seemed very happy; but after several days it disappeared. Perhaps wanderlust took it further. I had named it Magellan after another adventurer.