Who laid the rotten egg?

Stinky eggs are always embarrassing. But they were a prevalent feature around the pond where I grew up. Henry and Henrietta, the Canadian geese, would return each year to the pond and build a nest on Goose Poop island. (Henrietta wasn't much of a housekeeper). The would lay about 8 or nine eggs but somehow one or two would always go rolling onto the pond or fail to hatch. Once the little ones hatched it was time for swimming lessons. How I loved to paddle after the goose family in our little blue rowboat! Unfortunately the pond was also home to an Alligator Snapping turtle who had a taste for goslings. What a sight to see a little yellow baby goose disappear under the water, pop back up, then go down again never to return.
These turtles are as elusive and mysterious in their nature as the abominable snowman. Maybe that is why they are capable of living 150 years- males average are 175 lbs! (Yes you read that right). I never saw ours but did see the huge track he left in the mud one year when the pond dried up. Our neighbor was a duck and goose fanatic and kept his shotgun ready to 'take out' the massive reptiles. Much to my dismay he succeeded in shooting one of them and the other turtle was supposedly hit by a car years later when it wandered up out of the pond area, probably in search of a new mate. I think it got lonely. Imagine living so long without another turtle to call your sweet pea. . .