Lee's Photoblog
Need More Sunscreen
Posted by Lee (Fort Frances Ontario, Canada) on 7 June 2009 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.
Painted Turtles are out and can be seen sunning themselves almost everywhere. Just about every pond has a population of these turtles. On any given day you can catch them sitting on a rock or log soaking up the sun.
In a short while (I'm guessing about 2 weeks) they will be starting to dig out nests in the sand to lay their eggs. I hope the weather warms and stays warm enough for them to do so.
Thank you for visiting my site. I consider myself to be lucky living where I do. Everyday I wake up to a wealth of interesting visual scenarios. Most of my pictures are Wildlife and Nature taken from around the area. The area specifically being Fort Frances Ontario on beautiful Rainy Lake. Feel free to comment on what you see. I look forward to hearing from you. If you like what you see, please rate it. Better yet, bookmark the site and drop back often. I will be posting daily.
All images are copyrighted by Lee Oelke Photography. They cannot be reproduced, electronically, or by printing without my written consent. Should you be interested in any of my images, please contact me.
@r00t: Thank you. They were just sitting enjoying the sun.
@Loner: Thank you. I just like seeing them. If you're not quiet enough, they just dive into the water and are gone.
@mats: They were doing some serious power tanning.
@rajeev: Thank you Rajeev. Please visit again.
@amirreza: Thank you
@Ca†≈: LOL. That's a good one. Thank you for the compliment.
frederique from nancy, France
those one are unwanted in our rivers They kill our local turtle (cistude) but every where you look you see them .....
nice shot
7 Jun 2009 8:53am
@frederique: Thank you Frederique. I'm sorry to hear they invade and kill your local species.
@Elena Kotrotsou: Thank you.
@zOOm: Yes they do. One can observe these turtles on any given day just sitting and enjoying the sun.
grouser from Ludlow, United Kingdom
You must be quiet as a mouse
when you're out and about.
The only time I see turtles is when they scuttle of the rocks and in to the pool, having seen me coming.
I think the one on the right is preparing for lift off. Another great shot. Thanks for the lens info.
7 Jun 2009 10:20am
@grouser: An awful large mouse. You are right, they do scurry off the rocks when approached. This shot is taken with a large lens and cropped. It makes it look a lot closer than I actually was.
Vinman from Essex, United Kingdom
Great pose, I like that red shade to the underside of the shell, never seen that before.
7 Jun 2009 10:41am
@Vinman: Thank you. They get their name from the colour of their underside. The Painted Turtle. Their undersides are very red or orange with a black and yellow mosaic painted in it.
@Mike: Thank you Mike. Please visit again.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
I love it, I love the beauty of these marvelous turtles, I love the information you provide and I'm adding a perfect summer for them in my prayers, you are so cool and gifted :)
7 Jun 2009 10:47am
@Lorraine: Thank you Lorraine. I hope the summer warms up and the weather is enjoyable for all.
@Hidalgo: Thank you Hidalgo.
@Elora: Thank you Elora.
eva from Rouen, France
they have so beautiful colours over and under... Very nice !
7 Jun 2009 1:12pm
@eva: Thank you Eva
Lesley from Lincoln, United States
Great shot, Lee! I need to get out on the lake in my kayak and get some shots of the turtles I saw last year. They are pretty skittish, though, as Grousie mentioned.
7 Jun 2009 1:13pm
@Lesley: Thanks Lesley. Yes they are skittish. That's why I have a strong lens. I manage to grab a few shots before they disappear. Plus, it helps to be stealthy in your approach.
mohkum from Muscat, Oman
Great shot! I am confused with these colours? Are they really?
7 Jun 2009 2:14pm
@mohkum: Thanks Mohkum. Nothing done here. This is exactly as I shot it. These turtles have a dark shell on top. They have black and yellow stripes on their bodies. The underside of hteir shell is red or orange with black and yellow mosaic patterns. They are actually quite colourful.
@Onlymehdi: Thank you for the compliment.
Kathe from Marquette, Michigan, United States
Yep. They're out here as well. Love how the one on the right is balanced. If the other one moves, it may just roll off of the rock.
7 Jun 2009 3:25pm
@Kathe: They're all over. I come to find out they are quite common. And yes, I alsolike the way they are stacked up precariously.
@BIG SIS and Brother-inlaw: Hey, Thanks for stopping by. Take care.
Susan from Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
Nice shot here Lee.....and for once, I don't feel terribly jealous.....as we have turtles in the "pond" behind my apartment (it's actually a water hazard on a golf course!!)...I also see lots of water birds out there, but they're usually gone by the time I run downstairs, and out back with my camera....It would be perfect, if I could cut a hole in the screening on my patio....wouldn't do much for keeping the bugs out in the summer, but a hole in the screening, and my 300mm lens, and I could "pretend" I live in a wildlife area, just like you!! :)
7 Jun 2009 3:49pm
@Susan: Well, I can say I am the one who is envious. Living on the fringe of a golf course, pond in the back yard, lots of water birds, and warm weather to boot. No snow, Hmmmmmm......yep I'm jealous, more sun screen please. Thanks Susan. Take care.
Beat from Switzerland
Congratulations Lee! So beautifull colors and perfect sharpness. wow!
7 Jun 2009 4:52pm
@Beat: Thank you very much.
john4jack from Corvallis, Oregon, United States
Dynamite capture. Spectacular selective focus and detail.
7 Jun 2009 4:56pm
@john4jack: Thank you Jack.
Jen from St. George, United States
Great shot! I've always enjoyed watching turtles sun themselves - always with their head sticking way up like this. Too funny!. :)
7 Jun 2009 7:48pm
@Jen: Thanks Jen. They always seem so stiff necked. You never see them with their heads down and sleeping.
@Alun Lambert: Thank you Alun.
@MARIANA: Thank you Mariana
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
They seem to be totally enjoying themselves...Love this!
8 Jun 2009 4:12am
@bluechameleon: The life of a turtle. Sit and bask in the sunshine until someone comes along and disturbs you.
@Eleftheria: Thank you.
Daniel from Kenmare, United States
they look like a couple of hardcore sun-worshippers.
8 Jun 2009 12:52pm
@Daniel: That they are Daniel. Every day. That's why their shell looks so leathery. LOL
StarCosmosBleu from Bedford.Qc, Canada
I love turtles..an excellent capture...lovely details...
9 Jun 2009 3:57am
@StarCosmosBleu: Thank you. They are intersting.
jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand
great shot Perhaps they should move to NZ no sunscreen required here at the moment
9 Jun 2009 8:53pm
@jamesy: Cheer up Debbie. It will get better. The sun will shine again. Just not sure when.
@Linda: Thank you.
