The Acrobatic Turtle

By Milt Inman

Milt Inman is a photojournalist and chief photographer for Maine Outdoors Today, Maine Fishing Today, Maine Hunting Today and U.S. Hunting Today.

The small turtle came out the water onto the limb of a dead tree about 3-inches in diameter.  A turtle has a nearly flat shell witch adds to the difficulty of this balancing act on a round log. He or she Turtle climbed at least three feet up this round stick of wood and was a good 2-feet above the water and there it was taking in the sunshine.

I was there off and on for two hours and he or she was still there when I left to go home.  I was wondering did the turtle turn around and go back down the limb or did it just jump the 2 feet into the water? 

I will never know because I had to leave and the turtle was still there.  I do know it was quite a feat for a youngster!    Milt

From this perspective, it sure looks like this alligator and one great blue heron are sharing valued space. - Photo by Milt Inman