Normally I see turtles at water level, but this intrepid turtle had climbed up the trunk of an overhanging tree at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetlands Refuge on Monday and was perched several feet about the surface of the pond. I love the way that his coloration and texture almost perfectly match those of the tree.
A short while later I encountered three turtles perched on the trunk of a tree growing at an angle out of the water. The angle was steep enough that I was not sure how they managed to get themselves into position or how they were able to keep from sliding down into the water.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I wonder if that first turtle in the bottom photo climbed up far enough to leave the space the other turtles filled, or if the second and third kept nudging and nudging until there was room for everyone? Both photos are great. The resemblance of the turtle shell to the tree bark is remarkable.
I’m wondering how they got back down. Do Turtles have reverse?
Great photos and comment postings!
Amazing critters and evolution, Mike. Evolution…seems you rather captured it for us,
I didn’t know they could do that!
I suspect they can go up an incline up to a certain degree of steepness, but I was a bit shocked to see that they could do so-usually I just see them on logs in the water or on the banks sunning themselves.
Me too. I’ve never seen one on a tree.
Fun post and photos Mike!
I love turtles! Thanks for these great pictures.