Couple of turtles nesting

[mikeh]

Here to share couple of turtles nesting. First one is a big red ear slider covering up her nest at 9:00 am about 250 yards quite far away from the pond and in the middle of a huge public lawn. It hasn't rained in weeks, how she had enough urine to wet and soften the dry hard soil is amazing. She spent another hour packing the soil then headed back to the pond at 10am with sun already packing good heat.

2nd much smaller is some kind of painted turtle. This was another day but at the same time of the day. I assume they start in the middle of the night or late eve?? Only difference this one nested just 15 feet up the bank from the pond. Anyone know what kind of painted turtle it is by looking at the shell.

And the pond

 

[Carol S]

Thanks for sharing the pictures. What a beautiful lake and surrounding area. What state is that? The area is so beautiful and green.

 

[sj83508]

Are!
So cute!

 

[mikeh]

Thanks for sharing the pictures. What a beautiful lake and surrounding area. What state is that? The area is so beautiful and green.

It is man made pond in residential area of Flemington NJ. The pond has been here about 15-20 years, it connects downstream of a natural pond. Most of the life has made it down over the years. There is few species of turtles in it and number of species of fish and snakes including striped bass. It's full of life. It's being well taken care of and with equipped with oxygenators. I have found about 15 turtle nests this spring on one side, unfortunately all dug out and eggs eaten. But some nests must make it. By my rough estimate There are at least 100 turtles there. This appears to be a permanent resident here.