Relaxin’ Weekend?

Red-eared Slider

The Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegan) is native to many parts of the southern United States, but here in California it is an introduced species.

 

Today I met up with my friend Chris to explore El Dorado Regional Park in Long Beach. We saw so many fantastic birds, arthropods and other critters! I had a really great time… though after a couple hours of walking around, I had to concede that I was a tad jealous of how completely r-e-l-a-x-e-d some of the turtles looked. *GRIN*

Hoping that everyone else found something wonderful to do today that left you tired and happy!

***BONUS PHOTOS***

turtle lounge deckTurtle lounge deck extraordinaire!


turtle stackingIt’s surprising to me how amicable some turtles were about being climbed on and used as a sunning spot by other smaller turtles.
*Click on the image to see a close-up of their seemingly happy and blissful expressions.*
I’m still searching for a positive ID on the smaller turtle in this shot… anyone reading this have an idea of which species it is?

Harsi / June 5, 2011 / reptiles

Comments

  1. Lisa - June 6, 2011 @ 8:02 am

    Hey girl, Harsi of the hills– This makes me *grin* *grin* *grin* and I, also, am jealous of that relaxed Trachemys scripta elegan. I can just feel the sun on my back with this photo 🙂 I love the angle of the turtle’s head…I’m imagining it is saying “Yeah, I’m relaxin’….what of it?” Hope you do something every day this week that leaves you tired and happy….just exercised so I am both of those things. And I’m glad you had fun exploring the park with your friend!

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  2. Harsi - June 6, 2011 @ 10:11 am

    Hmmm… I wonder if I have to change my nickname based on where I’m out wandering? Somehow “Harsi of Long Beach” just doesn’t have as nice a ring to it! Still, I had a great time getting to meet Chris (outside of our many e-mails) and I too hope that the upcoming week has as much exhausting fun in store for me. Lisa, you would have looooved these turtles! I held back on posting the ones lounging ON TOP of other larger turtles, but it truly was impossible not to smile while watching them. (Maybe I’ll send you a few bonus pics!) Hopefully, someday I’ll have a post talking about the fantastic outing the two of us finally have! xo

    Reply
  3. ro - June 6, 2011 @ 10:15 am

    O gosh I hope I have some time to play turtle today. It was really fun seeing you and Ez this weekend, we have to get Lisa out here sometime in the winter when the rattlesnakes are sleeping and snow is falling in NH… 🙂 That turtle reminds me of being a kid, swimming all day then laying on the warm concrete, aaaahhhhhhh!

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  4. Harsi - June 6, 2011 @ 12:02 pm

    Hullo Ro!! I hope you have time to play turtle today too… Be sure to spend whatever downtime you’ve got looking up at the magnificent clouds! I couldn’t resist adding a few more photos to this post for you and Lisa (and everyone else!) to enjoy. While there were plenty of turtles hauling themselves up onto muddy banks and sun-warmed rocks — most of them congregated on these nifty turtle lounge decks that were floating in the deeper areas of the pond. (I haven’t thought about laying on warm concrete after getting out of the pool in AGES!!! Thanks for jogging my memory back to something so wonderful.) Oh, and Ez and I had such a great time visiting with you guys on Saturday. We went home with such wonderful things — a new plate set for us, earrings that I can’t stop grinning at, and gifts for family & friends! Plus, some killer insect photos from your lush & lovely garden. An excellent day — thank you Ro! (We will indeed have to coerce Lisa into joining us one of these days.)

    Reply
  5. Chris - June 6, 2011 @ 12:25 pm

    Hey Harsi! I can’t help but laugh everytime I look at the top turtle; it looks just so relaxed it’s ridiculous, haha. Thanks again for coming down here, it was lots of fun 🙂 Nice bonus turtle in the bottom pic by the way… I didn’t know there were anything other than painteds, sliders, and softshells in the lake. Maybe it’s something like Actinemys marmorata, the Pacific Pond Turtle? Good find whatever it is!

    Reply
  6. Harsi - June 6, 2011 @ 12:50 pm

    Chris, the pleasure was all mine! As per our discussion that day about what native turtle populations there might be, I think that the Pacific Pond Turtle might be the only plausible one in this area. I’d like to believe that’s what I’ve photographed here, but it doesn’t quite seem to match up right with the markings… perhaps they’re just quite variable. I have a few better photos I’ll send you later so that you can muddle over it with me. Between the turtles and that immature Green Heron, there really were a number of surprising (and humorous) moments hanging out by the pond. Great memories, indeed!

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  7. Lisa - June 6, 2011 @ 1:51 pm

    Bonus photos — lucky for us! Thank you 🙂 Your # of turtles sunning themselves is far more than I’ve EVER seen around here in New England….I’ve seen maybe 4 at the tops. And yes, Ro! I also love the memory of the warm concrete after swimming……aaaaaahhhhhhhAAAAHHHH! xoxo P.S. If I come visit out there, I may never return here (grin). lol

    Reply
  8. Harsi - June 6, 2011 @ 2:25 pm

    Oh, Lisa, you can’t even begin to imagine how turtle-rific this place was!!! Not that any of us engaged in a formal survey while we were there, but I have no doubt in my mind that there are HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS of turtles at this park. As I’ve mentioned, the vast majority of them are introduced species whose populations probably got started by people abandoning their unwanted animals purchased via the pet trade. Obviously… they have thrived in this habitat. Re: visiting and never returning… well, I’m sure WE wouldn’t mind, but I’m betting your kids would miss you. xo

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