Turtles

Tags

colonial lake, diamondback, Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, photography, postaday, snapping turtle, terrapin, turtle

One day last week I had to stop several times to let turtles cross the road in front of me. Here are a few shots of them at different places in the refuge, and one shot at Colonial Lake closer to home.

Diamondback Terrapin.

Diamondback Terrapin.

Snowy Egret with turtle under water in background.

Snapping Turtle at Colonial Lake.

At the beginning of last century, Terrapins were eaten by humans, almost to extinction. It was only two years ago in 2016 that New Jersey officially banned the hunting of Terrapins for any reason. They are currently classified as a species of Special Concern. Snapping Turtles are classified as Least Concern.

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Diamondback Terrapin

Tags

diamondback, edwin b forstythe national wildlife refuge, photography, postaday, terrapin

A Diamondback Terrapin crossed Wildlife Drive at EBF right in front of me. It stopped and so did I to grab my camera and take the following pictures. As soon as it saw me get out of the car, the turtle scurried to hide behind some rocks.

Diamondback Terrapin crossing the road.

Diamondback Terrapin trying to hide.

Time between the two shots: 12 seconds.

Turtles

Tags

abbott marshlands, Edwin B Forsythe Wildlife Refuge, john heinz national wildlife refuge, photography, postaday, terrapin, turtle

Once in a while, I encounter a turtle during my walks or drives around the marshes. Here are those that I met this year.

Baby turtle at Abbott Marshlands

Terrapin crossing the road at Edwin B Forsythe Wildlife Refuge. Green marking on top of its shell was probably done by park rangers.

Turtle at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge