First Turtles of 2016

 
Today was beautiful. Just the right temperature, about 50 degrees, sun shining. I took a 5-mile walk.

There is a small pond/wetland that used to be quite hidden, but there's been some recent timber harvesting that has opened the area up more. Don't know what that will mean for the wildlife in general, but the turtles were sure out catching the rays this afternoon.

Most of them were painted turtles. I saw probably ten of those. However, the best find was a big guy, sharing the same log with one of the painted ones. This is another Blanding's turtle. Considered endangered in general and of special concern in Michigan.



I wasn't sure what it was until I got home and could see the pictures on the computer. They don't usually extend their necks so far out. But when I saw the spots on the shell, that was kind of definitive.


This was the clincher, however. I managed to sneak around and get a shot from the front without scaring it off the log. That yellow chin is the absolute key. Blanding's turtle. No doubt. Also notice the spots on the leg.

This one is not as big as the one I saw a few years ago that I'm pretty sure was bigger than the state record. But this one was cleaner (easier to see features) and closer (better pictures).

You can see the big one at the link below.

	See The Secret Pond and an Amazing Turtle
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