Nearby lake the other day

[natedoggSXE]

I went walking at a near by Lake in Raleigh, Lake Johnson. I went a bit off the path and found 2 turtle egg sites. As well as an adult Common Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) which happened to have no hind legs and a large leech on this posterior ventral side. I removed the leech put him back and the discovered a Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon), common occurance. Being stoked on the Musk turtle I went back yesterday. I got the the sunny side where I caught the last one and someone was playing fetch with their dog. I waited for them to leave, knowing my chances of seeing anything were slim. But low and behold, I found a hatchling(3.1cm) Common Musk Turtle near the same area as the other. I got some pics this time.They are one of my favs, one of those childhood turtles.

[toker]

awe!! that is one cute little bugger.