Painteds return topside

The wetlands have been waking up according to a timetable I've put together as a result of years of observation, and according to the schedule, we should be bearing witness to the emergence of the "sun" turtles right about now. Sure enough, a trip to the Henne preserve gave me what I was looking for. I scanned the sunny logs and hummocks of Common Rush for signs of the reptiles, and without having to look too long and hard, I spotted telltale glints of light reflecting off of wet shells. I zoomed in and found a pair of Painted Turtles, no doubt newly emerged from hibernation in the mud and no doubt interested in two things: food and, well, the opposite sex. It's spring. It's been a long winter. Chrysemys picta is just doing what comes naturally... but not quite yet, it would appear. While I watched, the turtle on the right gave the more ardent one on the left the cold shoulder and slipped out of sight. Not to fret: there are other turtles in the swamp.