Better late than never? I photographed this Mississippi Mud Turtle in spring at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma, and I’m sharing it today.
I found this image in my ‘to post’ folder yesterday and decided it was time for this small turtle to be highlighted here.
Roadside Mississippi Mud Turtle – Nikon D810, handheld, f10, 1/100, ISO 500, Nikkor 18-200mm at 185mm, natural light
Mississippi Mud Turtles are small, and I haven’t seen many of them in my life. They are a subspecies of the Eastern Mud Turtle.
Mississippi Mud Turtles have brown-to-black shells and skin, often faintly streaked with yellow, helping them blend into muddy waters. They have blunt heads, short snouts, and webbed toes suited for swimming and burrowing in slow-moving rivers and ponds.
This turtle was crossing a dirt road at the refuge, with water on both sides of the road. I grabbed my backup Nikon D810 with the 18-200mm lens attached to photograph the shy turtle. Because another car was coming up the road, I had to hurry.
I felt fortunate that the Mississippi Mud Turtle poked her or his head out of the shell for a few images.
By this time of year, these small turtles are more than likely preparing for winter hibernation by burrowing into mud. It’s unlikely that I will see any more of them this season. Hopefully, next spring, I’ll have more opportunities to observe and photograph this unique turtle species. They are cuties!
Life is good.
Mia
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I know it’s a stretch to call a Mud Turtle good-looking…but he is. [Of course, as Mud Turtles go…it could be a pretty little girl.] Nice shot and I love your narrative. Thanks Mia.
A cautious peek out into the world, for sure. 💚
Definitely better late than never. Thank you.
That is a cut turtle and photo!
The photo of the Mississippi Mud Turtle did not come through.
Susan Gilnack
Susan, it should be back now. My site has been having some caching issues, it seems.