This turtle climbed out of the water in hopes of catching some sun in between the clouds.
Turtle Waiting for Sun
Picture of the Day for August 13, 2021
Once in a while when reaching for that odd shape or old patterned rock, it turns out not to be a rock at all. This little turtle was caught in the waves and it took it a while to get past the water and rocks before finally making its way towards shore across the sandy beach.
Not a Rock
Picture of the Day for September 25, 2020
Whenever I am on a rocky beach, my eyes look for that special pretty rock. And when I reached for this odd marking rock, a wave came in and spun the “rock” around. I realized my rock wasn’t a stone, but a baby turtle instead. And it would get brave enough to stick its head out about the time another wave put him in the spin cycle again. Finally it managed to get out of the reach of the waves as it crawled away from the water across this Lake Superior beach.
Turtle Not a Rock
Turtle Beach Stroll
Here is part of the turtle’s journey across the beach.
Picture of the Day for June 13, 2019
Today I drove around a turtle (after I took its picture) and discovered it was a turtle which isn’t as common as the painted or snapping turtle. The Blanding’s turtle was removed from Wisconsin’s Threatened list on January 1, 2014 but are still listed as a Species of Special Concern. The destruction of Blanding’s turtle habitat is causing increased turtle mortality in all life stages and roads are also a hazard for them.
The females may travel a mile to their nesting site from about mid-May through early July depending on spring temperatures. Nests are not safe from hungry birds, crows, skunks, foxes, and raccoons. Each clutch, or nest of eggs, contains from 3 to 17 eggs and takes 65 to 90 days to hatch. The Blanding’s turtle takes 17 to 20 years or more to reach maturity and may live over 70 years.
Blanding’s Turtle
Picture of the Day for June 12, 2019
The road crossing turtles sometimes get some help from people to get them safely to the other side. but helping little painted turtles are easier to help than snapping turtles with their claws and strong jaws.
Road Crossing Snapper
Picture of the Day for June 11, 2019
On the news today, there was a warning about turtles crossing the road to get to their nesting sites because roadway mortality is a major factor in their decline. Their “hide in their shell and wait it out” strategy which has helped them since before the time of dinosaurs doesn’t work so well with fast moving cars and trucks so keep an eye out for the the turtles sharing the road.
Troubled Turtle Times
Picture of the Day for April 22, 2019
This turtle looks like heavy machinery powering through whatever it wants, but it does move slowly so I doubt a turtle will ever replace the Easter Bunny to quickly hide enough eggs.
Slow Moving Turtle
Picture of the Day for June 29, 2018
Many people escaped to pools and other water to help escape from the high heat today and even this turtle kept dunking its head under the water while floating on the pond.
Hot Day at the Pond
Picture of the Day for July 5, 2017
Last night when I was driving home after dark, I had to share the road with several deer but deer are not the only critter on the roads as there are some very slow moving turtles using the highway too.
Slow Moving Turtle
Picture of the Day for May 5, 2016
If the sun peeks out later today, logs might be filled with turtles sunning themselves on a warm spring day.
Enjoying the Sun
