It is hard to believe that it is already November. Rather than rushing boldly forward, I think that I will ease my way slowly into the new month, following the example of this Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) that I spotted last Thursday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. I believe this is a female box turtle—females of this species, which are also known as Woodland Box Turtles, generally have brown eyes, while the males most often have bright red eyes.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I didn’t know that 😳, thanks. BTW, nice angle on the shot.
Thanks, Ted. I got down as low as I could for the shot. It was not quite eye-to-eye, but was relatively close.
Very nice Mike! Great turtle image! Also did not know about the eye coloring. Thanks!
Thanks, Reed. Here is link to a posting from October that showed a box turtle with red eyes. (https://michaelqpowell.com/2021/10/14/red-eye-express/)
I love the way this adorable wee beastie is all tucked up in her shell. I can relate. I am very ready to just hunker down under cosy blankets while drinking copious quantities of hot tea.
Thanks. I noticed that the temperatures are supposed to drop down to the mid 30’s at night later this week. I am with you, Laura, of the physical and psychological benefits of snuggling up in blankets and drinking warm beverages when it gets cold outdoors.
I just had to scrape ice off my car. I am not feeling ready for these temperatures. Less than a week ago, I was still wearing short sleeves.
Very nice capture, Mike, and quite a beauty. Two months left of the year, and easing into it slowly seems like a good idea—lessons from the Box Turtle. I feel like time is flying…my dad has told me for years it gets more pronounced as you get older, and I fear he was right.
How stunning!
Who knew the sexing of box turtles was such a popular subject? This is only one of the many sites I found that deal with this subject. https://www.boxturtleworld.com/box-turtle-care/finding-out-the-sex-of-your-box-turtle/
I like turtles in general and box turtles in particular, so thank you for this lovely portrait.
Thanks, Nina. Box turtles are a subject of special concern here in Virginia and the Virginia Herpetological Society collect info on all sightings of them.