I SPOTTED A LITTLE GIRL with brightly colored toenails (click photo for detail) during a visit to Granville Island in Vancouver last August. She was enchanted by the rather large character making its way slowly and steadily away from the nearby pond along a littered walkway towards the vines.
I noticed that the shade of the child’s nail polish somewhat resembled the pinkish-red strip on the turtle's head. It also looked as if an artist's hand had etched orange symmetrical patterns on its armor.
I learned that this is likely a Red-eared Slider with five toes and long curved claws on each webbed foot. Unfortunately, I was not able to count the toes or to see if its nails were polished ... even at its unhurried pace. But it was clear to me that this roaming reptile needed no paint to add to its natural beauty.This turtles and toes tale showcases the letter "T". Visit ABC Wednesday to see how others showcase letters from A to Z.
Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms
I love these shots. Such fun spotting the little girl and the turtle. Those little feet made me think of my daughter way back when she was that age. There is something about feet and hands of loved ones that get to me. I also love turtles and enjoy spotting them.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures, I have seen them at the pond ocassionally but only get a glimpse of the head, so it in nice to see the whole turtle. They have beautiful markings don't they. :)
ReplyDeletegreat tortoise shots! colorful.
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
Most turtles I see are in water. Hardly I see them on land. The colors are so beautiful and just camouflage among the greenery!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I like your comment of leaving bread crumbs on the trails. Hahaha, the little birdies would just eat them and one could easily be lost.
You made me smile thinking about Turtle Toes. Have to admit that that thought never entered my mind.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots and lively colorful text!
ReplyDeleteHI, Penelope! I remember this turtle well. Somewhat I felt sorry for it to have to walk on a littered place even with some adventurous spirit. Your comparison of girl’s toenails to the turtle’s head is interesting, and yellow lines on his short limbs are lovely in its total coordinated patterns and colors. I see at least four toes in the second photo. I have seen their five toes when they were basking on a log in the pond where I often stop by.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautifully coloured turtle. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteAnd I bet she had fun painting those toenails! Did you talk about it with her?
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny, no I didn’t talk with her, although I did chat with her dad a bit. The little girl was as mesmerized with the turtle as I was and was busy clicking away with her camera. You would think the turtle was a movie star being chased by the paparazzi!
ReplyDeleteI love how your imagination works,. :) This turtle is quite colourful.
ReplyDeleteLast week, I did a post of a terrapin after I saw a turtle photo. It brought me back 35 years ago. I didn't realise that terrapins could roll over from it's back.
ReplyDeleteHi Penelope,
ReplyDeleteThe painted toenails and colourful shell just seemed perfect together. I always love the way your eye catches small beauties that many of us would miss. I have only seen a couple of turtles walking on land. Someone told me they usually do that when they are laying their eggs. I read up a bit on that, and learned that once the eggs are laid, there is no more interaction between parents and kids. Yikes! I guess the babies are on their own once they hatch. I also read that some people people believe the baby turtles communicate with each other before they hatch, and arrange to emerge from their shells together. Thanks for yet another post that made me curious enough to go to google:)
Thanks for sharing such interesting details, Carol. :) I love the idea of turtles communicating with one another BEFORE they hatch!
ReplyDeleteWe have a tortoise who lives under our deck. I feed him in the summer. He's nowhere near as pretty as this one, who has really beautiful markings. Lovely photography, as well.
ReplyDeleteOur tortoise is young yet, and I have the feeling as he grows larger his markings will show more. I love him, no matter his appearance, and I can imagine how awestruck the little girl was at seeing this beautiful little turtle! xx
How did I miss this? What a great post!
ReplyDeleteSee you before I head back to AB.
Luv, K