Blandings Turtle

[rtbaum]

I consider this quite a find. Blandings Turtle is a threatened species. They have a life expectancy similar to ours, living 70+ years and reaching sexual maturity at about 14 years....sorta looks like me as well The greatest threat is due to loss of habitat and mortality due to automobiles as they cross roads during egg laying. It is not uncommon to see turtle crossing signs where they are known to be found. The chap to the left is the much more common Painted Turtle

[Shadowman]

Nice effort, was this the only shot you were able to capture?

[rtbaum]

As soon as I left the car, he was history. I did capture a few more. Is it a question of the reed in the front?

[rtbaum]

Like magic...offending reeds have been banished

[IzzieK]

You know, Randy -- I always look forward to your post because you make me laugh even though at times I feel like $h**. Anyway, I once came upon a turtle by the road last year, pick it up and brought it home, took pictures of it and hid it between two large rocks in my backyard, hoping the dogs will not find it. Three months ago my next door neighbour excitedly called me to the fence and told me about a turtle in their backyard. It took that long to travel from my yard to theirs!? The place where I put the turtle was about 6 length of my feet. The incident happened over 6 months ago.

Did you get to pick up your turtles?

[rtbaum]

You know, Randy -- I always look forward to your post because you make me laugh even though at times I feel like $h**. Anyway, I once came upon a turtle by the road last year, pick it up and brought it home, took pictures of it and hid it between two large rocks in my backyard, hoping the dogs will not find it. Three months ago my next door neighbour excitedly called me to the fence and told me about a turtle in their backyard. It took that long to travel from my yard to theirs!? The place where I put the turtle was about 6 length of my feet. The incident happened over 6 months ago.

Did you get to pick up your turtles?

I grew up catching turtles, frogs, snakes, bugs, you name it. Now..I pretty much leave them alone. The reason that my shots usually have errant vegetation in inopportune places is because I don't want to disturb the scene or the subject. This shot of the turtle has actually been rather well received on the refuge website.....a little shot to my ego!!

[Ziggy]

I find turtles very difficult to capture. In strong sun it is hard to get a good balance between the dark and the light.
Took some shots Saturday of turtles sunning and none came out very good.

[rtbaum]

I find turtles very difficult to capture. In strong sun it is hard to get a good balance between the dark and the light.
Took some shots Saturday of turtles sunning and none came out very good.

I think another redo is in order, will revisit when I am in the mood

[Ziggy]

I think another redo is in order, will revisit when I am in the mood

I think yours turned out well.

[rtbaum]

I think yours turned out well.

It is just that when you posted, I began thinking about adjusting the shadows slider, which I had not done in processing initially. In my opinion, it will improve the image.