Painted Turtle: "Catching Sunshine"

Are those turtle smiling at me?

(Painted Turtle - photo by Neil Barker - April 6, 2024)

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Emerging from the cold and murky depths of hibernation.

Up and out of the waters to begin a slow ritual.

A ritual of warmth and light and awakening the soul.

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I took these photos on April 6, 2024. I decided to go for a second Nature hike in the late afternoon. The weather was quite mild (about 11°C/51.8°F) and I noticed several Painted Turtles out enjoying the warm sunshine. I counted a solo turtle and two pairs.

I like this pair of Painted Turtles in the photo above and below. Both of these turtles looked like they were enjoying a nice sunny day.

The pair in the photo below were also enjoying the warm afternoon sunshine. They seemed to be looking across the water at me smiling. That made me smile back.

I sat for about 10 minutes watching all of these turtles. The solo turtle in the first photo left that stone and dove into the water. The two pairs of remaining turtles continued sitting and soaking up the warm sunshine.

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