• Tuesday-What'sUP June 14 - 03:28 pm

What a colorful little reptile! It is commonly called a painted turtle and displayed here by Brita Haapala's young son David. If you click on the full size photo of Myrtle and David, you can almost see the whites of that teeny turtle's eyes! The second shot is the flip-side of the same kind of reptilia that my hubby found trying to cross the road in front of our house. I put that "two bits" in the picture with him, just so you could gauge how small this little guy really is. After the picture, he was escorted behind our house to the shores of Torch Lake, here in Lake Linden.

My goodness he's small. He'll have a fine place to live, Mary. I wouldn't mind living in your back yard. lol

That is one small turtle!!!

One of the radio stations here in Houston has a contest where if you win 5 days in a row, you get to live in "Captain Cash's Garage" until the finals tournament in December. I think that maybe the winner of the poetry contest should get to live in Mary's backyard until next year's contest ;-)

What a cute little "she" turtle. Must be the season for road crossings, as I had to dodge several larger relatives on R41 last week.

Hi Mary, thanks for posting my "myrtle" shot. Just thought I'd mention that he's David, not Sam. Not a big deal, they'e about 19 months apart in age, and they've gotten so used to people calling them by the other name (including me), that they just answer to either one.

Mary says: My apologies to David. I did look through your gallery, comparing today's photo with some of the others and "thought" it might be Sam, thus the "(I think?) after the name! I've gone ahead and corrected my notes above! :->

I remember when these turtles were sold in the dime stores as souveniers. Their backs were brightly painted and they were quite a popular item. Finally, someone got some sense and selling them is no longer allowed. Nice picture of David and the turtle..certainly shows the vivid marking and coloring and explains the name :painted".

One of the guys in the shop witnessed Yurtle doing warp 1 across the freeway. Seems he got pinched between the ground and a semi tire and "squose" out. Damaged the edge of his shell. Word is he was looking for rabbits to race. He was rescued and we kept him in a water tank at work and gave him regular feedings. He healed up nicely and was released. Don't know if he still tried to cross the road. He was a snapping turtle about 10-12 inches long.

I always love your pictures,Brita!!

Hard to find a turtle here. We'll be in the UP in July and will look for some there as the grandkids will be with us. We have a shortage of Horned Toads lately. When we lived out on the pasture we had quite a few.

I agree with JustMe....Brita's family pictures are heartwarming.....depicting "Life in the UP"....kids, dogs, turtles...It is the best....we can all relate to that.....

In my best Crocodile Hunter Australian accent: "Oh, isn't he a cutie!"

He or she is a little bitty one. Thanks again Brita. You know me too as I get those boys mixed up all the time.

I had one of those little turtles when I was in Jr college - probably 1971. My sister, who was only 8 at the time, was watching it while she was home sick one day and left it sitting in the south window - strong February sun - and the poor little fella kind of baked. His little shell just curled up at the edges. I've forgiven her but I sure did like the little guy. Whenever I see a turtle on the road I stop and carry it to the side - unless I'm on the freeway.

Where's everyone this morning?

Just caught a sailboat motoring up the canal; this is when I wish BridgeCam was live.

Eugenia
Try MTU's fundcam
http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/cams/fund/motion.html

Well, too cool, Bob! Thank you!