Slow and Steady Turtlles

Not wanting to be out maneuvered by a duck in the same pond, this snapping turtle took its own turn at sliding down the same waterfall .

Snapping turtle checks out the depth of the water (photo credit - Debbi Collar)

Who knew those in the avian and those within the reptile world could find their own entertainment on hot summer days?

(See previous story of "Daffy Diving Ducks" published on March 5, 2021.)

Now the next mallard family is in training and apparently learning the technique well

It's never easy to be the first one to try out new skills.

it takes both practice and courage. The photo below shows one struggling turtle as it learns how to navigate climbing up and over rocks and then down the waterfall.

1st try at getting the body and shell over the rock.

There has to be another way of navigating these waters and rocks.

... and judging by one dabbling ducks "dive," where there's a will there's a way and a ride down the waterfall can be fun.

and a great way to cool off on a hot summer's day for one and all varieties of turtles.

whether a young snapping turtle

just hatched (photo by Katherine Holian)

searching for water, starting their own journeys in life.(photo credit -Katherine Holian)

and possibly meeting this painted turtle along the way..

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CONSIDER THESE DEFINITIONS FROM WIKIPEDIA BELOW

Are turtles both reptiles and amphibians?

Is a turtle a reptile? Yes, a turtle is most definitely a reptile and not an amphibian. They are scaly with dry skin, lay eggs on land, and only breathe oxygen from the air.
Is a bird an avian?

Anything avian relates to birds. Avian flu is the bird flu, which birds can pass to humans. Someone who flies a plane is an aviator, and that may help you remember that avian things have to do with birds. Feathers are part of avian anatomy.