Bhavna and I were standing at the edge of the new pond at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. I had my camera in hand, photographing the dragonflies, damselflies, and butterflies. The pond, crammed with water lilies, reflected the surrounding greenery. But something else caught Bhavna’s eye.
“Look, there’s a baby turtle!” she whispered excitedly, pointing towards the pond’s surface.
I shifted my gaze and saw it. Partially submerged, the shell of a Painted Turtle barely broke the surface, blending with the surrounding aquatic plants and algae. The turtle seemed completely at ease its markings peeking out beneath the waterline.
The turtle’s shell, with its elaborate patterns, glistened as it moved lazily among the lily pads. The patches of green algae on its back only added to its camouflaged appearance. At this close distance, the XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR would not focus so I backed away. The turtle, oblivious to our presence, continued its leisurely swim, occasionally dipping below the water’s surface before re-emerging a few feet away.