I usually see painted turtles sunning themselves on logs. So seeing one in motion, swimming through its swampy surroundings made for a change.
Tag Archives: Turtles
SNAPPING TURTLE
I rarely see a snapping turtle swimming as they move silently through the water (and my camera is often pointed up, not down š). It served as a good reminder to look around more.
TURTLE TIME
The painted turtle is the most common turtle at our local reserve although they share the waterways with snapping turtles and the rarer blandingās turtle. Iāll be looking for all three when the weather warms up.
ROLLING IN THE DEEP
This is a young snapping turtle, mature snapping turtles are much larger and even less good looking š. I was standing on a viewing platform and just happened to glance down when the turtle swam silently by.
SUNNY SIDE UP
Painted Turtles enjoying the summer sun.
IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
With its algae covered back, you have to be lucky to spot a snapping turtle swimming through a murky pond. I didnāt have a polarizing filter so the photo might have been sharper but I managed to get a decent shot. I think this turtle was quite young as it wasnāt as large as some Iāve seen. Not the prettiest kid on the block but certainly one of the more interesting.
PAINTED TURTLE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
This lake has a fair number of resident turtles. As I scanned the water for birds, I noticed a painted turtle enjoying a swim. Now it and its mates are buried deep in the mud, hibernating until spring.
PAINTED TURTLE
Painted Turtles blend in so well, that what appears to be vegetation swaying in the wind is often a turtle swimming silently through the water. I was in a good spot to see this one surface.
GETTING ALONG
The log was a popular spot for both turtles and ducks that day, crowded but room for everyone. I love scenes like these. A good lesson for us all!
SNAPPING TURTLE
The snapping turtle surfaced from the murky water as I stood on a viewing platform. I thought it was quite young given its size but with all the algae on its shell Iām not so sure. This small lake has three kinds of turtles, the snapper growing the largest. After a long winter of hibernation deep in the mud, weāll see them again when the ice melts in spring.
PAINTED TURTLE
The painted turtle was soaking up the sun on a fine summer morning. Often they crowd together on the same log. This one chose a solitary perch.
PAINTED TURTLE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I was scanning the river for birds when I noticed this very large painted turtle on the edge of a boulder. I kept expecting it to slip into the water but it continued to balance like this for all the time I was there. Although not endangered or threatened, its status is of āSpecial Concernā as it may become so. That said we haven’t had as many sightings as usual this summer; I do look forward to seeing them every year.
DAY AT THE LAKE
These painted turtles were soaking up the June sunshine. Most summer days the logs are very crowded but so far this year turtle activity is sparse. I hope as the warmer days roll on weāll see more of these turtles and some snapping turtles too.
BALE OF TURTLES (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
There are several kinds of turtles in our waterways. These photos feature two of them – the painted turtle and the Blandingās turtle, which has a domed shaped shell and bright yellow throat. Itās on the threatened species list so itās pretty exciting when we see one.
TURN OF TURTLES (THREE PHOTOGRAPHS)
Painted turtles are common and widespread in our region. We usually see them sunning themselves along with their buddies in mid Spring, as soon as the sun gains some heat. Theyāre hibernating now, nestled deep in the mud of local ponds. I look forward to seeing them again in a couple of months.
A G&T KIND OF DAY (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Geese and turtles that is. This old tree still attracts wildlife during the warmer months. Ducks, turtles and geese swim over and sit a while. Though not much of the tree is left standing I love itās graceful silver arch. Iāve always known it in this spot and hope it continues to stand and provide enjoyment to visitors and wildlife well into the future.
AFTER YOU
Iāve sat on this image for quite a while, not sure whether to post it or not. I usually like to crop closer in to my subject(s) but in this case, I decided to focus on the rugged terrain and the challenging conditions these painted turtles face at our local reserve. I assume they made it safely across but I had to be somewhere that afternoon so I couldnāt wait around to find outš.
PAINTED TURTLES (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
These painted turtles look pretty put out. In other reserves where the turtles tend to dive for cover when you approach, these turtles stay put and glare. Like frogs they blend in well to their surroundings. On a windless day if I see duckweed floating on the surface of the water, chances are a turtle underneath it is propelling it along.
PAINTED TURTLES (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
And now for a little change of pace, with the arrival of milder weather the painted turtles have returned to the surface after a long winter of hibernation. I spotted a few on the weekend and when I returned to the lake today there were even more about. Another welcome sign of the season.
PAINTED TURTLES (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I always associate painted turtles with lazy summer afternoons. They are either basking in the sun or going for a quiet swim. You feel yourself slowing down in their company. No better way than that to enjoy summer!
MOVE OVER
The air was cool but the sun was nice and warm and the painted turtles were out in force. In this sheltered little bay every log was host to crowds of turtles. The spring melt has flooded parts of the park and we had to wade through shin high water to get to the little bridge that overlooked the turtles. What a sight they were for winter weary eyes.
BUDDY SYSTEM (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Snapping turtles and painted turtles are the most common turtles at the reserve. We usually see them, often together, sunning themselves on logs in the water. I captured these two when they were swimming. They move silently through the water and blend in so well, that itās only when they come up for air that you see them. The snapper isnāt fully grown but itās mature enough to have quite a growth of moss on its back which acts as excellent camouflage. They have a prehistoric look, with their long tale and spikes. Not pretty but fascinating to observe.
PAINTED TURTLES (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I took these photos last summer when everything was lush and green and the turtles were basking in the sun. Right now they are hibernating at the bottom of the lake and wonāt resurface until late spring. Smart turtles! Painted turtles are common here in Ontario and share the lake with snapping turtles and the occasional blandingās turtle. Painted turtles can be rather shy and slip into the water as you pass them but not these two on that day.
TURTLE TALE (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
These photos were taken in July when the sun was warm and the lake was full of life. We saw painted turtles everywhere, basking in the sun or swimming in the water. Summer is long over and itās been several months since weāve seen any. Theyāre likely hibernating at the bottom of the lake waiting for winter to set in. The group in the first photo were making the most of the short summer and seemed to be admiring the water lily across the way.
PAINTED TURTLES (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Thereās a platform off the water that provides an excellent view of the goings on at the reserve. Given the drought in our area the water level is low and the painted turtles are easier to spot as they swim around. In the first photo the turtle seemed to be treading water. Iāve never noticed one in that position before. I spotted the second turtle further along the trail. He was a fine looking example, his shell and claws quite striking. But what a grump!
A TURN OF TURTLES
I came across these painted turtles basking in the the warm July sun. It was one of those perfect mornings when the temperature was just right and the mood nice and relaxed. Sometimes turtles can be easily scared off when they sense your presence but not that day. They were nicely lined up and the water lilies provides an additional note of interest to the scene.
LOOK AROUND (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I was standing on a platform with a group of other photographers trying to take photos of a heron that was just out of my lensā range. As I was having no success with the heron I looked about to find something else of interest. The painted turtle in these photos was swimming around a few feet below me and kept raising his head above water. As I didnāt have a polarizing filter on my lens the water looks a bit murky but I donāt think it detracts from the final result.
BLANDING’S TURTLE
On a sunny day last week we came upon these turtles basking in the sunshine. The Blandingās turtle (the turtle with the yellow throat and domed shell) was sharing the log with the much more common painted turtles. Very often turtles will slip back into the water as you walk past. Happily this particular spot was far enough away that the turtles continued to soak up the rays as I took my shot. A note about the Blandingās turtle – itās a threatened species in Canada. Wildlife experts are working with landowners, conservation groups and local authorities to protect their habitat.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 