The day I met Tessa

Photograph of a woodland box turtle by Doug Couvillion

This little Woodland Box Turtle and I briefly shared a hiking trail in Powhatan State Park earlier this month. Encountering wildlife, even a small, humble turtle, always makes me feel more connected and brings me a sense of joy and awe.

I prompted ChatGPT to write a short story about a turtle and a photographer meeting on a hike and here’s what it came up with.

Continue reading “The day I met Tessa”

Soaking Up The Sun

photograph a turtle sunning on a rock in the James River by Doug Couvillion

A great time of day to spot turtles in the river is at dawn.

Since they are cold blooded the turtles need the warm of the sun to really get moving.  Rocks in the middle of the river provide a great opportunity to soak up the sun’s energy in a place where they won’t likely be disturbed.

When I found this Eastern River Cooter warming on the rocks the sun’s rays had just made their way over the trees on the river bank.

Home At Last

Photography by Doug Couvillion: Two Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles resting on a black sand beach

Despite the rough surf and rocks of Panalu’u Bay, Hawaii the beach is frequented by Green Sea Turtles.  These two were taking a well deserved rest on the black sand after braving the conditions to make it to the beach.

Eastern River Cooter

Photograph of an Eastern River Cooter on the Rappahannock River in Virginia

This small Eastern River Cooter was basking on a sunny log in the Rappahannock River as a paddled my canoe past it last July.  I don’t know much about the turtles of Virginia so I may have misidentified this one.

Three Amigos

photograph of three painted turtles on a log in a swamp

These painted turtles remind me of three friends posing for a portrait.  They were basking in the sun, soaking up some solar energy in the Great Dismal Swamp when I took this photo.

Painted Turtle 1

photograph of a painted turtle sunning itself on a rock

This painted turtle was sunning itself on a cool spring day which probably allowed me to get closer than I otherwise might have.  There were a few other turtles nearby but I like the coloration of this one.