Now that the ice on the ponds has melted, the turtles have resurfaced, including this relatively uncommon Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) that I photographed yesterday at Huntley Meadows Park.
According to the Virginia Herpetological Society, “Extinction or extirpation is possible. Populations of these species are in decline or have declined to low levels or are in a restricted range. Management action is needed to stabilize or increase populations.”
I was very happy to spot this turtle and tried hard not to disturb it too much in getting a few shots.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved..
Mike Powell 
You might want to let the Virginia Herpetological Society know that you’ve seen one. I’m sure they’d be very interested.
I’ll check with the staff folks at Huntley Meadows Park and what is the best way to pass on the info. I’ve seen spotted turtles a few times in past, but they are not as common as the snappers and red-eared sliders that I see more often.
Always exciting to find an uncommon creature, and wonderful that you captured this photo.
You’re very lucky (thanks to your legendary persistence) to get such a great image of such a rarity. I hope you let us know how the herpetological society reacts to your information and your wonderful image. Have you considered submitting this to National Geographic’s “Your Shot” program?
For the moment, Gary, I’ve posted the info on the sighting and the photo on the Facebook page of the Herpetological Society. I am not familiar with the “Your Shot” program, but will check it out further on the internet.
That’s a beauty.
Thanks, Lyle. I had to choose my words carefully to avoid saying that I spotted a Spotted Turtle.
That’s so true. I get some odd combination of words in my head sometimes and it always seems to default to the odd ones.
What a gorgeous one! You’re very luck to have ‘spotted’ it. 🙂 Have a great day!
Something else we don’t have here