Turtles were out in force on Wednesday at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge, including these three that appeared to be practicing social distancing. They looked to me to be different species—a Red-eared Slider, maybe a Northern Red-bellied Cooter, and one that I’m really not sure about.
I must confess that I am not very good at identifying different types of turtles, especially when they are covered in dried mud. The middle turtle was shockingly clean and had especially beautiful and colorful markings. Be sure to click on the image to get a better look at the turtles. If you know a lot about turtles, I would welcome your assistance in identifying the species of these three turtle that were basking in the sunlight on an unusually warm March day.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I love turtles! But I’m unfamiliar with the types other than just knowing a “box” turtle! At our flag store Bass Pro I have seen signs and similar turtles. And even at nearby rivers. I love the little turtles swimming in our lakes and I came dangerously close to a huge snapping turtle on my home road one year!
Nice Mike! Always fun to see Turtle images!
Is the third one a snapping turtle? I have seen them in person but never saw one haul out so I might be way off. But the bill looks like a snapper to me?
I don’t think that is a snapping turtle. I see them from time to time and they look absolutely prehistoric. (Here’s a link to a fun shot of one from a few years ago. https://michaelqpowell.com/2018/05/20/muddy-snapping-turtle/ )