I don’t know if thegroup of Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta)) was a family unit or merely good friends, but they seemed to be cooperating to maximize their exposure to the warmth of the sun last week at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. At some of the other wildlife parks in my area there are large logs on which the turtles will space themselves out as they bask in the sun, but flat dry land is limited at this refuge, so the turtles are willing to share the space with others.
As I was taking the first photo, several more turtles emerged from the pond, as you can see in the second photo below. Their wet shells are much darker than those of the first three turtles that have had a chance to dry out a bit.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Beautiful, Mike. I love how turtles group together as if posing. Taking turtle pics at the lake is one of my favorite things to do. I could watch them for a long time!
Thanks. I too love watching the turtles, especially this early in the season when they seem to make extra efforts to take advantage of an springtime sunlight.
You’re welcome, Mike! I hope to go visit my turtle friends today!
I went out today with my camera and saw more turtles sunning themselves on a beautiful spring day (though technically spring starts tomorrow).
Mike, I thought of you when I went to a nearby botanical
Garden. There is a small lake and I took pics of the turtles! Yay to us for our spring sightseeing~ and of course, to the turtles! 🐢
What a delightful photo! I know I really shouldn’t but I am struggling not to anthropomorphize the trio of turtle buddies.
Thanks, Laura. I must confess that I’m guilty of the same tendency. 🙂
Great shot MIke, made me laugh.
Thanks, Leanne.
Don’t they make one smile! 🙂Blue Rock HorsesFrederick County, Virginiabluerockhorses.com
Indeed they do. 🙂