We also spotted this Red-eared Slider making his or her way through the grass near the creek. It is the Painted Turtles we are used to seeing at the pond, where they generally bask in the sun on a felled tree that lies partially submerged in the water, so this Red-eared Slider was a bit of a surprise.

That said, it is not the first Red-eared Slider we have encountered this year. In June, we were visited by a female Red-eared Slider trying persistently to make her way through our yard on her way to lay some eggs (or on her way back). Female turtles often travel through yards in search of a safe nesting sight. If you find a turtle, you should leave it alone and not try to relocate it, as it knows where it is going and can become disoriented if moved. We did have to help this turtle get passed our fence on the other side of our yard, and once there, it quickly moved on its way.

This American Bullfrog was spotted in the pond beneath the patrolling dragonflies. He was near the observation deck and was resting on some type of cardboard carton that someone had discarded carelessly into the water.

Bullfrogs are pretty common in this area, but we usually see them in the creek, resting near the bank. If we make too much noise, they let out a yelp that sounds like a broken squeaky dog toy, then disappear into the water with a loud splash.