Eastern Painted Turtle
Blackwater NWR is home to eight species of turtles.
One of the most commonly seen is the Eastern Painted Turtle. They can be sighted throughout the refuge’s waters or basking on the mudflats, logs, or anything else they can climb on.
Eastern Painted Turtle
The Painted Turtle is the most widespread native turtle of North America.
Eastern Painted Turtle
There are four subspecies of the Painted Turtle: Eastern (mine captured here), Midland, Southern, and Western. Unfortunately, the Western Painted Turtle is on the Endangered Species list. The last of it’s population lives on Vancouver Island.
(So sorry for the long hiatus, I was not well after my previous post but am now doing better and have been trying to catch back up with life. For my Bella & Beau followers, a post is forthcoming. They and their two chicks are still thriving!)
Photos by Donna 
Feel better Donna and back at it.
Thank you, Alix!
I hope you are feeling better.
Thank you Maralee
So glad you are back! I love the colors and lighting in both pictures, and the reflection in the second one. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much and you’re welcome!!
Isn’t the painted turtle threatened in some areas? I love the low point of view that affords a nice reflection in the water.
Thank you for your question, Jane! I now know and pass along that there are four subspecies of the Painted Turtle: Eastern (my post here), Midland, Southern, and Western. The Western Painted Turtle is on the Endangered Species list. 😦 The last of it’s population lives on Vancouver Island. (adding this to my post, thanks again, Jane!)
Love the turtle, looking forward to the next osprey update. I hope that all your health issues are behind you!
Thank you, Jerry! 🙂
Glad you are feeling better. In the second photo I almost like the logs as much as the turtle. Nice reflections in the second.
Thank you David! There are so many turtles at the refuge but it was the logs that caught my eye too. 🙂
Those are beautiful turtles! Great photos!
I’m sorry that you were not well and hope you are quickly returning to good health!
Thank you, Terry! I am feeling much better now. 🙂
Great!
Beautiful turtle! It’s so clean and shiny! I’m glad that your feeling better Donna. Nice shots! 🙂
Thank you, HJ! Yep, it can be hard to find a clean turtle, lol. I am feeling much better! 🙂
Neat turtle, Donna! 🙂 I wonder if they are ever attacked by eagles or ospreys?!
Thank you Tom! Nahhhhh, I don’t think so…… 🙂
I am joining the chorus of well-wishers, Donna, and I love your turtles. It is so much fun to watch them sunning themselves.
Best,
Tanja
Thank you Tanja, I am feeling much better! Turtles sure do got the right idea, basking in the sun! 🙂
Nice shots Donna. Glad to hear you’re on the mend!
Thank you Belinda, feeling much better!
Lovely capture Donna!
Thank you Ashley!
Sorry to hear you haven’t been well. Hoping you continue to mend and certainly good to hear Beau and Bella and family are doing OK! We’re catching up on house remodel projects during this summer when we can air the house out. I don’t do really well with fumes. I wonder if all the projects will EVER be truly done? Come to think of it, it’s also a time when we stay put to avoid the summer crowds. It’s all good. Just hard to catch up with blogging 😀
Thanks so much, Gunta, I am feeling much better! I don’t blame you on the fumes, they usually produce headaches that are uncomfortable. I wonder too if our projects will ever get done. But all is good! And I do have some catching up to do myself!!