A Painted Turtle "Hides"

Many times when I'm trying to photograph them, turtles dive/fall off their basking spot into the water, almost certainly to avoid whatever dire fate awaited them based on my appearance. Fortunately there are plenty of times when the distance between us and/or the mood of the individual turtle combine to keep the turtle in my sight.

Presumably distance and mood allowed me to get this picture, but I'd like to think this Painted Turtle felt safe hiding under this branch: "He can't see me under this stick, so I'm safe!".

March 16, 2023 at the Raritan Water Power Canal
Photo 267710630, (c) jpviolette, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)


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