Turtles at Coldwater Farm
Our turtle population is doing well. I photographed the Sonora Mud Turtle at top left in 2014 and the others today (March 18, 2017). Four of them were basking on one log, but I couldn’t get the shot–perhaps tomorrow.
The turtle at top right is also a Sonora Mud Turtle, but I’m not sure about the two below. A southern Arizona subspecies of the Sonora Mud Turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale) is of critical concern and may soon be added to the U. S. Endangered Species List (or not, sad). All of them are too wary to approach closely. I made these shots with a Nikon Coolpix P510 with the 42x lens fully extended. I’ll update this post if I learn more.
Turtles at Coldwater Farm
Arizona has only six native turtle species and three recognized subspecies. All of them are in danger from human activities. Full list with conservation status.
