Wild Wild Woods

  The painted turtle Chrysemys picta  is a native in Minnesota and of North America. Painted turtles are active only during the day; they ar...

 Painted Turtles line up on the shore to soak up the sun. The free-floating log in the pond is a wonderful chance for the turtles to take a ...

 We tied a weight to a driftwood log, and put it offshore for the turtles to sun themselves.  There are several logs partly on the shore but...

 

Adult painted turtles Chrysemys picta begin active foraging usually in March or early April.  Since winter has held on strongly until now, ...

Painted Turtles Chrysemys picta of all sizes live in the pond.  They are oval shaped, and the carapace (top)  can be almost black to dark o...

We found this baby Snapping Turtle on a street curb in the neighborhood. We relocated it to the wetland around the pond, hoping it would fin...

We call the log near the shore of the pond  'turtle log'.   Now it is buried in a snow drift.  It is curved, and usually emerges abo...

 Every pond needs a log for turtles to sit on while sunning themselves. It will probably be used by birds hunting aquatic prey, damselflies ...

The turtles are practicing balancing rocks today. Or, the big one coaxed the small one to help it hold a pose. 

The painted turtles who live in the pond love to sit in the sun, especially on rocks near the water. There, each can enjoy the warmth and (i...

Many Painted Turtles  Chrysemys picta live in the pond. On sunny days they climb out of the water and bask in the sun to warm their blood.  ...

Springtime, sunny, and balmy.  Turtles all came out of the pond today to warm up on the rocks. To get maximum exposure to the sun's warm...

Since we had several cold days and nights already, Painted Turtles Chrysemys picta who live in the pond are getting ready for winter.  Lack...

This turtle was probably thinking it could be the top part of a balanced rock sculpture.  Or, maybe seeking a sunny rock and believed this w...

The pond was quiet and clear today, after a rain shower overnight.  We could see to the mud, sand, and rocks on the bottom.  A Painted Turtl...

Eastern Bluebirds also like to sit on the branch over the pond. Many flying creatures use this branch as a place to spot a pre...

This morning, after 7 inches of rain fell overnight, the pond is higher than usual and some of the shoreline around it is under water....

Many Painted Turtles  Chrysemys picta live in our pond. They mate once a year; in Minnesota, it is usually late May or June. Usually, Pain...