Saturday, July 30, 2016

Critters, July 30, 2016

Saturday's Critters, Camera Critters, and I'd Rather B Birdin'

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA, July 12, 2016
This is a Softshell Turtle, but I have not been able to determine which Softshell it is. I was intrigued by the patterns on its head and neck. Instead of having hard bone-like shells, these turtle's shells are like thick leather, firm at the center, but more pliable around the edges. As soon as it saw me, it turned and splashed into the water.

Pickwick, Tennessee, USA, July 11, 2016
This Great Blue Heron was taking a brief rest on a nesting platform. I did not see any birds actually nesting there this year.

And we have lift-off!

Have a wonderful week-end!

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NOTE: Please do not use my photos without my permission.
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14 comments:

  1. The last shot is wonderful.

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  2. Hello, the turtle shot is cool. Awesome captures of the GB Heron! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, Enjoy your weekend!

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  3. Oh wow - catching the heron at that very second is amazing.

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  4. Replies
    1. Do you mean the turtle or the heron?
      The heron is in Tennessee.
      I looked at Internet photos of the Florida Softshell Turtle, but could not determine if this is one of them or another kind of Softshell Turtle.
      Have a great day!
      Lea

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  5. Fabulous shots! You snapped the turtle just in time in a perfect pose!

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  6. Great photos of the heron and the turtle. The soft shelled turtle really intrigued me. I haven't ever seen one of those before.

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  7. i love the herons! and that softshell is so cool! i've never seen one in person. (well, except in an aquarium).

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  8. Those turtles are very rare up here, but we have plenty of herons.

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  9. Nice looking turtle - we have a number of different sorts in Oz - none of which I can identify!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  10. LOVE the 'take off' image!
    And thank you....when I see these turtles, I know they're soft shell, but always forget when I DO see them. Great image of the turtle too.

    Your contribution for us birders at I'd Rather B Birdin' this weekend has been an awesome experience...thanks!!!

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  11. Nice heron shots.

    That turtle is very good-looking!
    ~

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  12. That is a nice turtle profile! Some bird must have placed the vegetation on the platform, but it looks so smooth that the first windstorm would sweep it clean.

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  13. Great liftoff picture ... I always enjoy seeing the GBs do that but never fast enough to get a good picture. We see soft shelled turtles when we're in Florida ...I didn't even know there was more than one kind of them.

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