Painted Turtles

April 21, 2014

I walked down to the pond yesterday, as I got closer to the pond I could hear frogs jumping and turtles going into the water. They always hear me before I can even get near the pond. During the first few really warm days of spring, the painted turtles start showing up again all along the pond.

 

The Painted Turtle is one of the most widespread native turtles in North America. I can remember as a child catching these when we lived in Florida. As you can see, their shell is near black and smooth with red and yellow strips along their neck, legs and tail. I have found a few painted turtles where the entire head was nearly covered in yellow.

Have a Great Week!

 

Eastern Box Turtles

We have a good many Eastern Box Turtles in our area. It seems like I have run across more this year with all the rain we have been having. It’s surprising that we have so many up on our mountain but they are there. I always thought they lived in just the bottom lands. We have several Springs and streams they seems to hang around since there are minnows and other food for them there. There are also alot of blackberry bushes around too.

Headed to the grocery store and I had not driven very far down our private drive where there was a pond turtle. I stopped and moved him out of the road. Since we have a pond near by I figured that was where he came from or was headed back too! He or she is the black turtle in the last picture.

Like watching birds? Need a bluebird house for a gift or for your garden, take a look at the bluebird houses I handmake and sell.