On Friday I spotted this small turtle as it was crossing one of the trails at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. It is not a species that I see very often, but I think it is an Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum) Appropriately enough its back half appears to be covered in mud.
I generally think of turtles as being slow-moving, but this one was scrambling so quickly across the trail that it was a challenge to keep in within the camera’s viewfinder after I had zoomed in all the way with my telephoto lens. In case you are curious, Eastern Mud Turtles are only about four inches in length (10 cm).
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Not sure I have ever seen one. Thanks.
It’s amazing how quickly these critters can move. I passed one on a boardwalk last year, then thought to myself, “I need a photo of that.” By the time I’d retraced my steps — perhaps fifteen feet — that guy was gone. I never could have imagined it.
Thanks for introducing me to this unique creature, Mike…gives me a smile to know a turtle can go fast.
Thanks, Jet. Speed is relative, I guess, depending on what you are trying to do. 🙂
Like all the detail
Another cutie! Must be their breeding season.
Great images.Thanks for sharing.