As I came within view of our pond on the last warm afternoon, I was excited to see a row of Painted Turtles sunning themselves on a log! Painted turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata) are the most common of Ontario’s eight hard-shelled turtle species, six of which are designated as at risk. It is not unusual to see a painted turtle basking on a log. However, last summer I didn’t see a single turtle in the pond. Not one. And now, here were five, lined up in a row, looking perfectly at home!
The turtles weren’t nearly as happy to see me as I was to see them. As soon as I cleared the treeline and came into view, three of the turtles quickly slipped into the water and disappeared.
As I approached the edge of the pond, a fourth turtle concluded that discretion was the better part of valour, and followed its companions into the pond.
As I moved up to the edge of the water, one brave turtle watched me warily from the log, about 15 feet out from shore until finally it, too, decided it would be best to take cover. I felt a bit sorry for having disturbed them, but after I had walked a bit farther around the pond and was heading back to the house, I looked back. One of the turtles had already returned to the basking log and resettled itself in the sun.
Willow House Chronicles 
What a thrill to see five turtles all in one place! Your beautiful photographs certainly illustrate your post well! — barbara
I miss seeing turtles. Around here it’s mostly snappers, and you really only see them in roads or along roads as the females are in search of nesting sites, or are perhaps returning to the water after laying eggs. Every year in early June I watch for wood turtles doing the same. And every year I rescue a painted or two trying to cross the road. But turtles sunning themselves – I rarely see that any more. I especially miss the little spotted turtles I used to see in the Swamp in NJ.
Maybe my next job will be in turtle country!
Five little turtles, sitting on a log;
Three slipped into the pond: “I thought I heard a dog!”
Two little turtles, sunning on their stoop;
One dived as I approached: “I’m much too small for soup!”
One — the biggest — turtle, trying to catch a ray;
My shutter clicked, and off it went: “Please, ma’am, no shots today.”
Ellen, I’m surprised you don’t have painted turtles about. They seem to be pretty wide-spread. I love seeing them…not on the road.
LB, Turtle verse in the Voice of the Turtle!! How perfect is that?