This morning I went to let my dogs out, and I swear I see a shadow moving in my pool... a rather large shadow. So I go down to investigate and lo and behold I have an uninvited guest taking a dip in my pool.



I did manage to get him to swim into my net, which was only barely big enough for him. I thought I was going to be taking a dip too, just to get him out.

This fellow was rather large, approximately 15 inches (maybe up to 18 inches) or so. He's in a 56 quart box, which is 23 inches long.



But wait, it looks like there are some hitchhikers....


GACK! EWWW!!! and NASTY even!!! A leech!!!!!

My skin is now completely crawling. I thought I was doing well to make it through our cub scout camp this week without freaking out about the ticks, especially after our hike through the woods last night. This just has me completely yucked out!

Anyway, I got the monster turtle out of my pool and sent him on his way.