Common Box Turtle, White Clay Creek Preserve, PA

Common Box Turtle, White Clay Creek Preserve, PA in album nature

A common box turtle, showing orange and black patterned shell, and a red eye, walking across muddy ground

Sep 16th, 2006, by Alex Zorach

This photo shows a common box turtle, Terrapene carolina, in White Clay Creek Preserve in Pennsylvania (north from White Clay Creek State Park in Delaware, which is a different park along the same creek).

I find this turtle to be very beautiful and dignified, and rather bold and strong looking. Its red eye, black-and-orange color pattern, and tough claws make it look a bit intmidating. I took a bunch of photos, but did not disturb it, and let it go about its business.

I am pretty sure that the leaf on the turtle's shell is from a willow tree.