Western Painted Turtle Gallery

You're Not the Boss of Me!

I saw this western painted turtle trying to cross the road towards a water channel at Ridgefield. Being a turtle, it was taking its own sweet time making it across and I was concerned it might find itself in the path of a birder watching the trees more than the road. I got out and helped it across but the turtle wasn't too appreciative of my aid, pulling tightly into its shell and refusing to come out and play. I took a few pictures and hopped back into the car so we could each continue safely on our way.

A western painted turtle covered in duckweed sits in the grass at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

A western painted turtle pokes its head out of green-colored water near the Kiwa Trail at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

Pond of Many Colors

I got to see many of my favorite species on this spring-time visit to Ridgefield, such as this western painted turtle poking its head out of its pond of many colors near the Kiwa Trail. Painted turtles are one of only two freshwater turtles native to Washington, the other is the pond turtle which is so rare you're unlikely ever to see one. The painted turtles seem to be doing fine, at least at Ridgefield, where on a sunny spring day I've seen a few dozen just along the auto tour.

Two western painted turtles at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

Terror in the Hard Shell

One day back in May I came across these turtles talking so quietly I couldn't make out their conversation. A month later across the country a large group of turtles staged a takeover of a runway at JFK.

A coincidence? I don't see how it could be!

The turtles on display here are western painted turtles, one of only two turtles native to the Northwest. The hard-shelled terrorists in New York were diamondback terrapins, proving that the turtle species are putting aside their differences and learning to work together. Even worse, they've taken to Twitter.

We had best be on our guard.