Welcome to my world and beyond...

A collection of snippets of the books I write and, occasionally, my life and the things that inspire my writing...

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Saturday Critters

Welcome to Saturday's Critters hosted by Viewing Nature with Eileen. Click on that link to find other nature watchers' photos.

These photos are of Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtles taken along a creek in Western PA, USA. The lack of protection by a hard carapace is made up for with speed! They are incredibly observant of their surroundings and vanish into the water at the slightest noise or movement.  Thank heavens for zoom.

If the Tortoise and the Hare could be rewritten co-starring this type of turtle, the results may be different. :-) 

Enjoy--and thanks for visiting!



 I love the little ones in this pic...

 Sunbathing...



17 comments:

  1. Hello, I have seen these or similar looking turtles in Florida. I did not know they could be seen in the western PA. They are cool looking turtles, great find. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your day, have a happy weekend! PS, your visit and comment are always appreciated.

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    1. Hi Eileen. Thanks. They are cool looking. I wonder if the similar ones you've seen in FL are the same? These guys vanish--into the mud, I suspect--when the weather cools in early autumn. I hope you have a happy weekend, too. :-)

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  2. They are odd looking critters aren't they! And the small ones are cute! What a neat sighting! Happy weekend!

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    1. They are odd-looking, with their leathery backs. :-) Thanks for visiting! I hope your weekend is a splendid one. :-)

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  3. A fun series of photos, I do like turtles though never get to see this kind where I live and I enjoyed yours.
    Thank you :)

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    1. Thanks, Denise. This creek is the only place I've ever seen them. :-) Thanks for visiting. :-)

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  4. Wow, you found where the turtles hang out. Wonderful captures of the lovely creatures. I use to see turtles when I was young but only see them now in photos. Thanks for sharing.

    Re: you asked how old I thought the stone walls were. I was told they were over a few hundred years old whatever that means. :) They are nice to see and still offer some courses that teach you how to build them.

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    1. You're welcome for the share, Bill. :-)

      I love history, and am often humbled when finding old stone walls, old coke furnaces, even chunks of barn-stone that are unearthed by weather and time. I can't imagine living someplace where "history" is so much older. Man-made history is so much younger here in the states. Thanks for visiting--and making the stop to answer my question. :-)

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  5. ...I see very few turtles and have never seen this type. Thanks for sharing and stopping by my blog. Take care and stay safe.

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    1. Hi Tom. I'm sixty and only saw these guys for the first time a couple of years ago. I'm cagey about exactly where they are because I don't want them to end up in turtle soup. They are pretty fast though. :-) Maybe I needn't worry? Thanks for visiting. Have a lovely week. ;-)

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  6. They can look like rocks along the shore! Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Yeah. :-) When I fist started noticing them, I thought that they WERE rocks! lol Thanks for visiting, Marie. Hope you have a good weekend. :-)

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  7. Hello. They are fantastic critters. Thanks for sharing.

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  8. the little ones look like little turtle pets i had when i was little. back when you were allowed to have turtle pets. nice captures of them!!

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  9. Only place I have seen those is in a wildlife park

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  10. Oh wonderful photos of the turtle~ love them ^_^

    Be Safe, Be Well,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  11. Aw, they're so cute!
    I missed the deadline for the Weekend Writing Warriors this week. I'll be back next week!

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