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:

EG CameraGirl said...

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

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...


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

Anonymous said...

absolutely love that last shot...great captures

TexWisGirl said...

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.

Pallavi said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

Shug said...

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

Spare Parts and Pics said...

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

renae said...

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

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

don said...

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

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Interesting turtle. His eye is intense.

Melissa said...

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.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i love those turtles. neat coloring. ( :

Giga said...

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

Wally Jones said...

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......:)

eileeninmd said...

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

Ruth Hiebert said...

Beautiful images.

Anonymous said...

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!

rainfield61 said...

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

Mr. Turtle.

Brian King said...

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

Hootin Anni said...

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.

Anvilcloud said...

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.

Helma said...

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 :-)

hootnonny said...

I love your nature pics!

Anita Johnson said...

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

theconstantwalker said...

Wonderful to see...

Anni said...

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.

Unknown said...

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

Hugs~

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Delightful photos, I really do love the last one.

Hilary said...

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

Deanna said...

Beautiful Gail, always so beautiful!!

Indrani said...

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

Unknown said...

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

Rosemary Aubut said...

Loving the stacked turtles! Great shots Gail!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

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.

Suzan said...

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.

Pia said...

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

Happy New Year!