The warm weather on Friday brought out a lot of turtles at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, including this group of Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta). I too enjoyed soaking up the sun, but felt more of a need to distance myself from other members of my species than these turtles did.
In terms of photography, I love the way that the red stripes on the turtles’ neck really stand out in an image made up of mainly muted colors. I thought of removing the leaf in the background, but decided that I liked the touch of whimsy that it added to the image.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I’m glad you left the leaf, nature is what it is.. you’ve given us a delightful capture.
I agree
Your mastery is beautifully expressed here, Mike, in the photo and words. The red sparks on brown, the leaf, your thoughts and decision. Our current pandemic dilemmas with our fellow humans. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and passion, my friend.
Nice Mike! Enjoyed seeing the non-social-distancing turtles! And no face masks! What are they thinking! Thanks again for lightening my day!
We have red-eared terrapins on our local lake. They like to bask in the sun too. We worry when the lake has newly born ducklings and goslings though in case the terrapins get them.
Oh, so cute. I saw one in our pond y’day. Oh the joy!
Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
Very nice photograph, Mike!
Some days, I would love to be turtle-like and stretch out on a rock by a stream and enjoy the warm sun. If the world intrudes, I would simply pull my head into my shell and ignore the unpleasantness.
Have a great new week!
Thanks, Wally. I am with you about the benefits of being a turtle.
I too like that you left the leaf. It looks like the second one from the top has just balanced it on its nose–or is trying to sniff it.
I used to sit and watch the basking turtles in South Houston when I lived there. They inspired me.
Wonderful!
Thanks, Audrey. I am amazed how the turtles have so little regard for personal space–I have often seen them crowded together really tightly on a log, with barely enough space to move.