Do turtles show affection? If so, how do they overcome the obstacle posed by their hard shells?
Last week on an unusually warm December day, I spotted two Eastern Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) sitting on a log in a small swampy pond at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. They were sitting pretty close to each other, which was not unusual given the small size of the log. What really struck me, though, was the way that they appeared to be rubbing the sides of their faces against each other.
Was this a sign of affection? It certainly seemed that way to me.
I’ve met people who appear to have as tough an exterior as these turtles. How do you reach people like that? Persistent small act of unrequited kindness may help to penetrate those barriers. For me, that is what Christmas is all about, an attitude towards others that lasts a whole lot long that a single-day celebration.
A belated Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrated yesterday and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2025 to you all.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Very nice capture and of course I love the reflection of this warm day surprise. Animals are always surprising us, showing up when it seems they should be tucked in. Best wishes to you for 2025!
Thanks, Ellen. Happy 2025 (when it finally gets here) and best wishes for some awesome photo opportunities.
Them, and their reflection, and your reflection, are fabulous!
I hope you encounter many more wonderfully photogenic opportunities in 2025.
Thanks so much, Liz. The last few months I have been otherwise occupied and have not been as active on my blog as usual. I hope to do better in 2025. All the best to you and Nigel as we move into the new year.
You and me both, Mike! We can perhaps encourage each other in efforts to *both* be more blog-active in 2025!
🙂