I was out exploring the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma when I stumbled upon a fascinating sight – a Mississippi Mud Turtle making its way across the auto tour road!
Knowing these shy turtles are usually tucked away in mud or shallow water, I knew this was a special opportunity. I carefully grabbed my camera and lens, and to get a good shot, I even crouched down right by the road (always prioritizing the turtle’s safety, of course!).
After photographing this determined little reptile, I patiently waited until it crossed safely.
This encounter got me thinking about why this turtle might be out and about. It turns out that female Mississippi Mud Turtles venture onto land during spring and summer to lay their eggs. This explains their potential presence near roads as they search for suitable nesting sites.
In Oklahoma, their egg-laying season falls between April and July, with individual females laying several clutches of one to six eggs each!
I actually wrote a whole blog post about the Mississippi Mud Turtle, diving deeper into its habits and habitat. Check it out here: Mississippi Mud Turtle: https://stevecreek.com/mississippi-mud-turtle/
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: RF100-500 mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Technical:
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
- Date and Time Taken: April 3, 2022 (10:32 A. M.)
- Exposure Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f8
- Shutter speed: 1/2000
- ISO: 500 (Auto)
- Exposure Compensation: 0
- Focal Length: 500 mm