These turtles seem to be harder to find around here as time goes on. They are endangered for sure. So when I noticed this one basking by the pond at work I had to do my best to snap a picture. Here are my attempts. Hope you enjoy as much as I did.
They are special indeed. I found this one at outdoor mall in suburb city north of Los Angeles. Very unexpected to find this in a complete urban setting. lol
Sadly it no longer there. Might have went back to the near by riverbed. Usually this portion is dry though.
I see them in a pond near mount Diablo when the rain fills it up in the winter. I also found a young male in my backyard about a year ago, the nearest body of water is a mile away so we are unsure how it got there. They are beautiful.