This Woodland Box Turtle, a species that is also known as an Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) was chilling out in the grass at the edge of a trail when I spotted it last week at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. It was not moving about very much, but I could sense a real intensity in its bright red eyes.
In order to capture this shot, I got down as low as I could, though I was not quite low enough to be at eye level with the turtle. I was quite happy to be able to capture a lot of detail in the shell and in the portion of the head sticking out of the shell. I encourage you to click on the image to get a closer view of the wonderful details of this strikingly handsome box turtle.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Gorgeous neck coloring!! Was he skittish? I’ve yet to encounter one of these and just wondering how close would one let me come? (Frequently I have just my iPhone handy … its zooming is not the best,)
This one did not seem skittish at all, though I must confess that I was shooting with my long telephoto zoom lens and had to be at least eight feet away for the turtle to be in focus. Perhaps he would have retracted his head if I had gotten too close, but that was not the case here.
Thanks for the low down on this turtle Mike. I don’t know about you but the getting back up at this stage of the game is the real challenge. I think I left some of my agility back in the parking lot. About 15 years ago that would be…
Thanks, John, for bringing a smile to my face. I suspect that the day is coming sooner rather than later when getting up will be more of a challenge. For the moment, though, I’m able to contort myself into all kinds of weird positions to get the shots that I want.
Very nice Turtle image Mike! I wish I could get down that low! If you might have noticed my images are all from a standing position or out a car window!
I agree – it’s well worth clicking to see closer.
Nice to see one of these. It has perfect dappled-shade camouflage.
Wonderful capture with great detail, Mike. They are threatened here and I haven’t seen one in years. That eye is intense but I think it’s a beatific intensity. 🙂
Aren’t they fun?!
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Yay! I love turtles!
turtles are not given enough recognition … they are wonderful creatures and i had no idea there is such a variety of them … they are designed and colored almost cryptically and i thank you for sharing your photographs … alexandra
I did get a closer look. He’s a beauty!
Thanks. Box turtles are so cool and I love the fact that I was able to get such a clear look at this one. Most of the other kinds of turtles tend to slip into the water and disappear from view as soon as they sense my presence.
You’re welcome! I enjoy them too!