Pond Slider turtles basking on the rocks in a pond. LA Arboretum, Arcadia, California, USA. December, 2024. #laarboretum #turtle #pondslider #reptile #nature #turtlephotography #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

Pond Slider turtles basking on the rocks in a pond. LA Arboretum, Arcadia, California, USA. December, 2024. #laarboretum #turtle #pondslider #reptile #nature #turtlephotography #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko300mmf4

Pond slider on a rock. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara, California, USA. March, 2025. #santabarbarabotanicgarden #reptile #turtle #pondslider #turtlephotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko40150pro

Pond slider on a rock. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara, California, USA. March, 2025. #santabarbarabotanicgarden #reptile #turtle #pondslider #turtlephotography #nature #naturephotography #amateurphotography #photography #omsystem #om1 #mzuiko40150pro

While exploring the tranquil waters of the Chaamse Bossen, I encountered a Yellow-bellied Slider (Trachemys scripta scripta), a turtle native to the southeastern United States. Likely a former pet released into the wild, this species has established populations in various parts of Europe, including the Netherlands.
Known for their adaptability, these turtles thrive in diverse habitats, from ponds to slow-moving rivers. However, their presence poses challenges to local ecosystems, as they compete with native species for resources and basking spots. Their diet is omnivorous, feeding on aquatic vegetation, insects, and small amphibians.

Capturing this moment with my Canon 7D Mark II and Sigma 100-400mm lens was both exciting and thought-provoking, highlighting the impact of human actions on wildlife distribution.

#YellowBelliedSlider #TrachemysScriptaScripta #InvasiveSpecies #WildlifePhotography #Canon7DMarkII #Sigma100400mm #NaturePhotography #ChaamseBossen #NoordBrabant #NetherlandsNature #TurtlePhotography #Herpetology #NatureLovers #ReptilesOfEurope #WildlifeEncounters

Painted Turtle at Santuit Pond Preserve, Mashpee MA 06/25/23 #paintedturtle #turtle #Turtles #turtlesofmastodon #turtlepower #paintedturtles #turtlephotography #Nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #photography #mashpee #massachusetts #capecod #newengland #santuitpondperserve #capecodlife

Snapping Turtle at Ashumet Holly and Wildlife Sanctuary, East Falmouth MA 06/08/23 #snappingturtle #turtle #turtle #turtlephotography #Nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #turts #photography #turtlelife #ashumethollyandwildlifesanctuary #massaudubon #eastfalmouth #Falmouth #massachusetts #capecod #newengland

Was visiting family in Illinois recently and took a bunch of pictures that are, suffice to say, way off Cape Cod… Red-eared Slider at Lake Sara; Effingham County, Illinois 05/27/23 #redearedslider #Turtles #turtle #turtlephotography #TurtleTuesday #Nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #photography #effingham #illinois #NotCapeCod