Kip’s Comments - March 29, 2026

Not Just Any Turtles

This afternoon I watched as several vehicles slowed to look at many turtles basking in the early spring sun on logs in the water. Seeing so many turtles congregated together in such small spaces was certainly interesting. Even more so was that one of the turtles is considered a threatened species in Iowa.

Turtles on Log - Image 1080148

Turtles on Log - Image 1080159

Blanding’s turtles, unlike painted turtles, are not real common. Around Sweet Marsh they seem almost ordinary, but that is because we are likely to see them. Maybe the Blanding’s observation frequency won’t be nearly as often as painted turtles, but Blanding’s turtles are in the area.

If you look at the turtles in the pictures, one has a yellow chin. That is a Blanding’s turtle. Interestingly, I have never seen a young/small Blanding’s turtle. I wonder if they are reproducing at Sweet Marsh or if the Blanding’s turtles we are seeing are old turtles.

American Robin - Image 1079892

Today I recorded what I consider one of my more unusual views of an American robin. For this image I was looking up at the bird.

Yes, robins are common. In fact, because they are common robins likely are not photographed or studied as frequently as the less ordinary birds are.