Yellow-bellied Sliders were taking advantage of the sun on a recent walk around a pond, positioning themselves on anything sticking out of the water. They had traveled through duck weed and other pond vegetation to get to the coveted spots.
I don’t think the vegetation does a thing to protect the turtles. Alligators, the apex predator in this pond, follows his prey by motion and is himself camouflaged by the same pond covering.
The smallest turtle I saw added a leg extension to his pose, probably needing a little balance to stay on the pointed rock.
Maybe their just trying their new carnival outfit and practising some figures as a ballet-dancer? (Some carnival events start in 2 weeks in the North Rhine Westphalia region, and that are my neighbours in Germany)
🙂 Everyone wants in on the action!