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Friday, December 27, 2013

Turtles and friends

Turtles and other sightings at LSU Lakes, November.

Also called a sawback, the false map turtle spends many hours basking in the sun, sometimes perched on steep snags. I found this false map on two different days, same log. They get their name from the yellow stripes that form on the shell, creating the appearance of a map. It is harder to see in adults (like the one below). The false map turtle also sports a serrated keel on the back of the shell. I so wanted to take an SOS pad to this guy's back and uncover those yellow stripes!
Photo taken 11/14/13 - overcast day

11/11/13 - bright day

Snowy egret, cormorant and turtle sandwich

Snowy egret

Cormorants in cypress tree

Voyeur, Timothy "Leery"
I love this stacked couple and the one peering over the log at them.
Linking with Eileen's Saturday Critters and Anni at I'd Rather B Birdin'. Hope you'll join in the fun!

38 comments:

  1. EG CameraGirlDecember 27, 2013 at 7:35 AM

    The last shot makes me feel you have a gift for being at the right place at the right time. ;))

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  2. Author R. Mac WheelerDecember 27, 2013 at 8:26 AM


    I love to get two species in one shot. But three. What luck!

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  3. AnonymousDecember 27, 2013 at 8:34 AM

    absolutely love that last shot...great captures

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  4. TexWisGirlDecember 27, 2013 at 9:15 AM

    those turtles are really cool! their back half and shell looks like snapping variety, but the front looks like a sun turtle or painted turtle type.

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  5. PallaviDecember 27, 2013 at 9:54 AM

    I love how the turtle is looking upwards as he sunbathes . Such a blissful expression! :) the last picture made me laugh along with the caption :D

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  6. AnonymousDecember 27, 2013 at 9:56 AM

    wat een prachtige momenten laat je hier aan ons zien,geweldig mooi.

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  7. AnonymousDecember 27, 2013 at 10:02 AM

    I love turtles. Mascot for one of my old schools…U Maryland. Dianne

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  8. ShugDecember 27, 2013 at 11:10 AM

    Hey girl...I sure hope your family enjoyed a wonderful Christmas.
    These photos are cute, cute! Turtles have it made! If they don't like what is going on around them...they can just disappear in their shell. I'd love to do this at times!!!

    Have a wonderful weekend....looking forward to your next series of photos..
    hugs to you

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  9. Spare Parts and PicsDecember 27, 2013 at 11:30 AM

    Ha, I like the shot of Timothy Leery! Happy Holidays!!

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  10. renae December 27, 2013 at 12:14 PM

    Ya, I can just see you taking an SOS pad to him. lol

    Have a great holiday time Gail. You deserve it. ♥

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  11. donDecember 27, 2013 at 12:35 PM

    A fine series that I found very interesting. Great turtle shots and the birds provided some action too. Nice post.

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  12. Lisa @ Two Bears FarmDecember 27, 2013 at 1:00 PM

    Interesting turtle. His eye is intense.

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  13. MelissaDecember 27, 2013 at 2:15 PM

    Cute turtles. They have such expressive faces! Yes, Ridgefield NWR is not that far north of Portland, so I'm sure this is where you would have visited.

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  14. Elizabeth EdwardsDecember 27, 2013 at 2:23 PM

    i love those turtles. neat coloring. ( :

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  15. GigaDecember 27, 2013 at 2:25 PM

    Piękne zdjęcia "podglądanych" żółwi i ptaków. Pozdrawiam.
    Beautiful pictures watched turtles and birds. Yours.

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  16. Wally JonesDecember 27, 2013 at 3:44 PM

    Great series!

    Love the turtle stack! Most people take pictures of turtles just for the "shell" of it....but you aren't afraid to stick your neck out.

    Groan......:)

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  17. eileeninmdDecember 27, 2013 at 3:57 PM

    Gail, I love the cute turtle sandwich..And the Snowy Egret and Cormorant shots are wonderful. Happy Weekend..

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  18. Ruth HiebertDecember 27, 2013 at 6:09 PM

    Beautiful images.

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  19. AnonymousDecember 27, 2013 at 8:27 PM

    That last one cracks me up. Peeping Kermit! I've never heard of a false map turtle. I learn something new with every one of your posts!

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  20. rainfield61December 27, 2013 at 9:56 PM

    Don't crack you head for an answer what is happening up there.

    Mr. Turtle.

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  21. Brian KingDecember 27, 2013 at 10:13 PM

    The turtles made me laugh! The first one looks quite inquisitive! Gorgeous bird shots! I hope you had a great Christmas!

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  22. Hootin AnniDecember 28, 2013 at 5:05 AM

    Love the eyes of the false map turtles. Very unique name too, by the way. AND the peeping tom at the bottom photo.

    Of course, you know me, I'm always ready to enjoy a good bird photo.

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  23. AnvilcloudDecember 28, 2013 at 5:06 AM

    Love the sandwich and the stack. Turtles are so odd. One wold have to think that they evolved early and hung on somehow, but who's to know.

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  24. HelmaDecember 28, 2013 at 9:59 AM

    All special name for this turtle lol ... I had never heard of a false map turtle. Now they do and I like that same quiet on the photo to see it well: _) You white egret is beautiful and you cormorant. My New Year's is still :-)

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  25. hootnonnyDecember 28, 2013 at 11:56 AM

    I love your nature pics!

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  26. Anita JohnsonDecember 28, 2013 at 12:04 PM

    my husband will love this post. He is our family "turtle guy!"

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  27. theconstantwalkerDecember 28, 2013 at 1:26 PM

    Wonderful to see...

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  28. Anni December 28, 2013 at 2:05 PM

    I'm back again to thank you for linking up at the Bird D'pot this weekend. You're a treasure to us all dear Gail.

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  29. UnknownDecember 28, 2013 at 2:46 PM

    Amazing shots once again my friend. I Always love my stop here on your blog..

    Hugs~

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  30. Judith @ Lavender CottageDecember 28, 2013 at 3:38 PM

    Delightful photos, I really do love the last one.

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  31. HilaryDecember 28, 2013 at 4:03 PM

    Gotta love turtles. They're so prehistoric. Fine captures.

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  32. DeannaDecember 28, 2013 at 9:49 PM

    Beautiful Gail, always so beautiful!!

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  33. IndraniDecember 29, 2013 at 1:23 AM

    Wow! too good!
    I like the last one, one perched over the other.

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  34. UnknownDecember 29, 2013 at 3:39 AM

    Wonderful shots! I love the turtles. Happy New Year to you and your family, Gail!

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  35. Rosemary AubutDecember 29, 2013 at 10:15 PM

    Loving the stacked turtles! Great shots Gail!

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  36. Linda at To Behold The BeautyDecember 29, 2013 at 11:42 PM

    Love the detail you caught in the turtle photos...the eyes and the body markings and that serrated edge on the shell. Neat. And the last shot is just too cute.

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  37. SuzanDecember 31, 2013 at 12:16 AM

    Nice shots of the turtle. I didn't know the variety of this turtle. Funny - wonder how the one on top got on top!! Turtles aren't very agile.

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  38. PiaJanuary 3, 2014 at 6:05 AM

    Awesome photos all, what a nice place to go for a walk!

    Happy New Year!

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