crowded surface…

surface fo a backwater wetland near Columbia R. Slough in NE Portland (Oregon)

looking West…

along the Columbia River Slough….rarely is anyone along the trail. Solitude aplenty.

backwater…

Columbia River Slough in NE Portland (Oregon) ©

Willamette Valley Turtles….unknown to me

If you have followed along with SwittersB, you know I am capable of acknowledging my ignorance or at least displaying it. Today, I had a short time slot to kill before visiting the dentist. I had my camera and a lens I rarely use (Canon 18-55mm…the basic lens the camera came with). I intended to take some wildflower pics and happened upon a portion of the Columbia Slough (runs parallel to the Columbia River on Oregon side). I was standing there studying the water as I usually do. Suddenly I changed my gaze to the wooded debris in the slough and made, for me, a most remarkable discovery….turtles…dozens of good size turtles basking in the afternoon sun. 

I tried to take photographs but the lens did not really afford me my usual ability to zoom in closer. I decided to move closer. It wasn’t as if I was aggressive about it, but all the turtles scurried from the log tops into the water as I approached. I wasn’t even close and they sensed my presence and were gone. Now the interesting part, for me, is I had no idea after years of exploring these waters that turtles even inhabited the area. How did I not know that? I have fished for Carp and Bass in these waters. I have photographed up and down the banks of this slough. Yet, not once in all the years had I ever seen a turtle nor thought they lived anywhere near. It just never occurred to me…turtles…hmmm?

The lens was under powered but you get the idea with these fuzzy shots. It was a very pleasant discovery. I did a little research when I got home re turtles in the Portland, Oregon area and learned more.