Eastern Painted turtle

[Scott_M]

A portrait if you will. I found this guy in a busy road. I brought him home for a while to photography then released him back in the stream he presumably came from. Fiesty little fella!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2175/2850535827_fc579df72a_b.jpg

[Geomyda]

A portrait if you will. I found this guy in a busy road. I brought him home for a while to photography then released him back in the stream he presumably came from. Fiesty little fella!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2175/2850535827_fc579df72a_b.jpg

Quite simply- STUNNING!!! Whilst obviously, this is a common species in North East USA, they are real living jewels.
I remember seeing these emerge from hibernation at The Great Swamp in New Jersey, back in the mid 1990's. During the course, of 2-3 days in early March, they just appeared from the inky black swamp and basked in those first warm days of spring. You are truly privileged to have these in your native fauna!
For anyone interested in reading more about these and their cousins who inhabit the North East USA. I recommend; "The year of the Turtle" by David M Carroll.

[linda]

he is stunning excellent pic

[Bindi]

Lovely turt, beautiful picture

[70ridgeway]

he is beautiful and im glad that you returned him :)

[Scott_M]

Thank you all. I run across these crossing the roads all the time. Most of the time I just scoot them to the otherside but I had some spare time and wanted to shoot a few pics.

[Geomyda]

Thank you all. I run across these crossing the roads all the time. Most of the time I just scoot them to the otherside but I had some spare time and wanted to shoot a few pics.

More pic's of these, or any of your other native Chelonia would always be appreciated.
Thanks

[Scott_M]

I have a few Eastern Box turtles here at my house, mostly rescues or people taking them home and losing interest and giving them to me. I'll have to shoot them before they dig down for the winter.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2365/2447549392_fb855606eb.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/2446725567_74da6b3805.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/229/506516810_90a4251cdc_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/422306919_bc3e531216.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/422306941_36f843031a.jpg

[Geomyda]

I have a few Eastern Box turtles here at my house, mostly rescues or people taking them home and losing interest and giving them to me. I'll have to shoot them before they dig down for the winter.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2365/2447549392_fb855606eb.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/2446725567_74da6b3805.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/229/506516810_90a4251cdc_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/159/422306919_bc3e531216.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/422306941_36f843031a.jpg
Thanks a lot, the poor Eastern painted has very deformed fore limbs, is this an old injury ?
Snapper is a classic. What state are you from?
The last two shots of the Box's are particularly good. I especially like the head shot of the Male!!
Many thanks for sharing them with us!

[Scott_M]

I am in Maryland, but spend a lot of time in Virginia as well.

The eastern painted appeared to have old injuries, possibly from his first year or so. I moved him out of the road and into a private farm pond 3 miles back off of any road so he'll have no problems with roads anymore.

[Zoo-Man]

Gorgeous painted turtle there! Lovely pic!

[Zoo-Man]

And those photos of the Box Turtles are great! I love the eye colour of Box Turtles!