I usually go out into nature alone, walking the trails in the forests and the fields. I am never by myself though…meet a few of my birding buddies. Turtles were everywhere in the wetlands area of The Heard. They always make me smile the way they battle for prime sunning stations. I have to admit, I had never seen a turtle perched so perfectly atop another until this time. No procreating, no fighting – just sunning!

I believe these are all Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans), but there may be a different species mixed in there somewhere. Red-eared Sliders are the most common turtle species I see in my area. I’ve read about this species being popular in the pet trade as well. I would rather see happy turtles in their native habitat, playing their role in the ecosystem. And free. FREE.

Look at this adorable little youngster! He/she kept me company while I sat on the boardwalk snapping (ha-ha, get it?) pictures of birds. It always amuses me to wonder why some turtles tolerate my presence and others do not. As I walk the boardwalk, I am preceded by splashing plops as a good many lounging turtles give up their hard-won sun stations, just to escape me.

This Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger) came down the tree to investigate my disturbing arrival. (I had stopped to throw down my tripod & camera, planning to stay awhile to look for all of the birds I could hear singing in the trees.)

When he realized that I wasn’t leaving, he came closer to give me the stare treatment. He continued to munch away on his snack, which diminished his bravado a tiny bit.

He’d finally had enough, and climbed right down a branch that extended over my head. I think he was invading my personal space to let me know that he wanted me to move along. Or maybe I have it all wrong, and he just wanted to make friends. Either way, he made me smile – which is exactly why I was there in the first place.

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