Mitchell State Park

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Goose.

Canada goose (Branta canadensis) at Mitchell State Park, Cadillac, Michigan.

Beaver sign.

At Mitchell State Park, Cadillac, Michigan.

Groundpine and teaberry.

Lycopodim dendroideum clubmoss and Gaultheria procumbens, at Mitchell State Park, Cadillac, Michigan.

I met this imposing turtle moving between ponds on the trail at Mitchell State Park. Its carapace was about 14 inches (36 cm) long, its head (including snappers) was baseball-sized. Even its parasites were over-sized. The leeches (around its head in the bottom photo) were some of the largest I’ve ever seen.

Eastern snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), at Mitchell State Park, Cadillac, Michigan.

Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens), at Mitchell State Park, Cadillac, Michigan.

Birch bark.

Paper birch trees (Betula papyrifera), at Mitchell State Park, Cadillac, Michigan.

Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), at Mitchell State Park, Cadillac, Michigan.

Painted turtles (Chrysemys picta), at Mitchell State Park, Cadillac, Michigan.

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