A Midland Painted Turtle Basking in the Sun at Point Pelee National Park, Canada
Hello turtle! This painted turtle is known as the Midland Painted Turtle subspecies. It can be found throughout the southern parts of Ontario and Quebec in Canada, as well as many states in the US, ranging as far south as Tennessee.
There are four subspecies of painted turtles and these are the most subtle when it comes to coloured markings or being able to identify them. The ‘painted’ name comes from their red/orange or yellow markings on their shells.
This is a freshwater turtle that likes quiet, calm waters. This particular Midland Painted Turtle was photographed at Point Pelee National Park in Ontario, the southernmost part of Canada.
On my recent San Diego road trip one thing I wanted to do was go and see the seals that call La Jolla home.
A Happy Harbour Seal in La Jolla
I knew these San Diego area Harbor Seals were located at a place called Children’s Pool in La Jolla Cove. I didn’t really know anything else, but figured it would be easy enough to find! So I drove along the coast down to La Jolla from Torrey Pines Reserve. Snaking along the coastline, stopping at places such as Kellogg Park and La Jolla Shores Park.
Those parks had nice beaches, but nobody was swimming – not even a seal – so I kept on moving.
La Jolla Coastline, approaching the Seals, walking along Coast Boulevard
Not long after I came to Coast Boulevard, ah ha! I was getting close. I purposely had come here on a Monday too, after hearing that finding a parking spot is a near possibility on weekends. Time to see the San Diego seals!
First, I got distracted by a cheeky little squirrel who’d obviously had a few over-friendly people supply him with some tasty treats, as he was all too eager to hang around. Cute little guy, but still – not a seal.
A sunning Seal on the Oceanside of La Jolla Cove
Just a short walk further was my destination. I walked along the seal viewing pathway, which juts out into the ocean and provides a nice viewing area above the Children’s Pool Beach. After watching a handful of Harbour Seals lolling about on some rocks on the ocean side of the wall, I came upon the haul out beach. Wow…there must have been a hundred or more seals sunning themselves.
Lazy Lounging Seals on the Children's Pool beach in La Jolla
Very cool, it was fun getting to see them enjoying the beach. They looked happy and peaceful (but don’t all seals seem to look happy??)
While pups are usually born starting in February there were a couple of young ones on the beach already, which was a nice surprise.
White Baby Seal on the beach in La Jolla, California
One of them really caught my eye. The mother of this pup was a lighter silver-grey colour compared to most other seals on the beach. But the pup she was looking after was nearly pure white! It stood out from the crowd, as the other pups and seals were mostly dark grey or almost black in colour. I asked around but nobody else seemed to know why that mother and especially the pup were of a lighter colour.
Stretching Harbour Seal, Looking for Attention at La Jolla Cove, near San Diego
I hung around for about an hour before moving over to the other side of the beach and watching the seals from the viewing wall along the sidewalk. A few people went down to the beach, up to the roped off area which protects the harbor seals from being harassed. I thought about heading down, but it seems like some seals were sensitive to people being that close, so I enjoyed them from a distance.
It was a fun afternoon and a real treat to have such creatures be so accessible!
Children's Pool Beach in La Jolla - The Viewing Walkway and Harbour Seals as seen from the Tower
On a side note – It turns out the harbour seals are a bit of a controversy to some local residents, who want free reign of the beach as well. Apparently the seals were originally released in the area without full approval from the local community. Some people want them relocated, some people want them protected more. Given how many other beaches I saw nearby (without anyone swimming!) my personal vote is for saving the seals of La Jolla. To be honest I wouldn’t have visited La Jolla and spent my money there if they didn’t have the seals.
A Hood Mockingbird, or Espanola Mockingbird, in the Galapagos Islands
This mean looking guy got his picture taken not because I thought he looked cool, but because he was being aggressive.
Called a Hood Mockingbird, or Española Mockingbird (as they’re on found on Espanola Island), they have no fear of people and are happy to fly by and harass you! They’re one of the Galapagos bird species that will attack if you have an open container of water, even if you’re taking a sip from your water bottle!
One of four mockingbird species in the Galapagos, the Espanola Mockingbird is listed as a vulnerable species. Interestingly, this is the only mockingbird species that Charles Darwin failed to see or capture during his time on the islands.
One of the most striking antelopes I saw in Africa was the Topi. A deep suede looking coat with near black highlights, it was uniquely different to the common impala, puku and other light-coated antelopes running around.
They’re a bit similar to the hartebeest, but with bolder colouring, dark faces and ringed horns that only have a gradual turn to them.
They’re not endangered, but different subspecies are facing troubles across parts of central Africa. They’re plentiful in the well-protected parks of east Africa, this one what photographed in the Serengeti National Park of Tanzania.
Your best bet for spotting an Orangutan in Borneo is a visit to the Sepilok Rehab Centre run by the Sabah Wildlife Department. At any given time there are a number of Orangutans being cared for at this facility near Sandakan.
Orangutan at the Sepilok Rehab Centre in Borneo
Seeing an Orangutan in the wild is a special, but elusive experience for many people that visit Borneo. But at Sepilok, they do a great job of keeping these amazing animals healthy and happy in a natural environment. They’ve been doing it since 1964 with the aim of releasing orphaned and injured Orangutans back into the wild Kabili-Sepilok Forest.
Orangutan enjoying some Bananas at Sepilok
Part of their rehab process before being released on their own is an Outdoor Nursery, where workers feed the Orangutans and visitors can watch the Orangutans eat from a special viewing area. The feeding times are 10am and 3pm each day and those are the only times that you’ll be virtually guaranteed to see some Orangutans up close. Outside of feeding time they’re off in the forest and may be out of sight.
Orangutan and Staff at the Feeding Platform at Sepilok
Be sure to take advantage of visiting during both feedings, as different Orangutans show up at different times. Plus, your day pass allows you to get in free the second time! As is common at places popular with tourists, if you want to take any photos or videos while visiting the Centre, you’ll have to pay an extra (nominal) fee.
An Orangutan and Monkey at Sepilok in Borneo
It is a great place to explore, with many hiking trails and pathways winding through the forest, which is also home to monkeys, butterflies, birds and other creatures. You can also visit the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre and go on a night hike looking for flying squirrels and other interesting nocturnal animals.
A Fuzzy, but Poisonous, Caterpillar at Sepilok Rehab Centre
There is no ‘zoo’ feel to the place either, which is refreshing. The natural environment and obvious ability for the Orangutans to come and go as they please makes it a rewarding wildlife experience in Borneo.
