March 23 – My Nature Journal
March 23, 2025 Nature Journal
Painted Turtle
Chrysemys picta
Painted Turtles hold a special place in my heart for several reasons.
First, they are so easy to identify. Many pond turtle species turn mostly dark as they age and lose any distinctive markings on their shells, which can make identifying them to species difficult. But Painted Turtles are different.
Painted Turtles have conspicuous, pale seams between the dark scutes of their shells, two yellow spots behind their eyes, and red markings along the edge of their carapaces. They are unmistakable.
Second, Painted Turtles love to bask. On almost any warm, sunny day, I see multiple Painted Turtles catching some rays while balanced on logs and branches that extend above the water’s surface. And when Painted Turtles aren’t basking, they seem to like floating at the water’s surface for long periods.
At times, I can gaze out across the lake and count a dozen Painted Turtles, all floating serenely just beneath the surface, with only their nostrils and eyes poking into the air.
Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
This time of year, male Tufted Titmice court females in preparation for mating, nest-building, and raising young later in the spring.
One interesting behavior of male Tufted Titmice is “mate-feeding”.
Once a male and female have paired up, the male bird forages food for both himself and his mate. Obviously, male Titmice feed themselves first much of the time. But often, especially during the spring, males will hold food in their bill, fly back to their mates, and offer the females the food. Female Tufted Titmice seem to encourage this behavior by calling repeatedly and quivering their wings.
Mate-feeding probably reinforces the bond between the mated pair—possibly the Tufted Titmouse equivalent of giving chocolates on Valentine’s Day.
Today’s Nature Journal Snapshot
|
Time of Day |
Mid-afternoon |
|
Setting |
Large lake |
|
Temperature |
71° F / 22° C |
|
Weather |
Mostly sunny with passing clouds |
|
Humidity |
22% |
