A Midland Painted Turtle was found on grass and walking towards Chemong lake. This Turtle was determined to go east. Whenever it was set back on the lawn pointed in a westerly direction, it would promptly turn around and head east toward the lake. To ensure it did not encounter any further problems, I carried the Turtle to the waterfront where it quickly marched into the water. This individual was likely a female that had been on land to lay eggs. She was a good size with a carapace measuring 5" wide by 8" long. Mud is evident along the posterior edge of the carapace and was picked up while she was digging the nest. The Midland Painted Turtle is our most common subspecies and can be identified by the red stripes on neck and forelegs as well as the dark blotch on the plastron.
(Photographed May 28, 2016 on private property, Emily Township, City of Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada)