Western Painted Turtle - Chrysemys picta bellii

We found these turtles sunning themselves on a small pond.

The Western Painted Turtle is named after the bright yellow stripes on its head, neck, tail and legs, and the glowing red on its plastron (shell covering the belly) and under-edge of its carapace (shell covering the back).

Most adult Painted Turtles spend the winter hibernating in the mud at the bottom of ponds and lakes.  Once temperatures warm up and the ice leaves the water, Painted Turtle courtship begins.

In B.C., Painted Turtles are found in pockets throughout the southern interior, as far north as Golden.   This includes the Okanagan Valley, Kamloops Lake, Shuswap Lake, and the Creston and Nelson Area.

At present, the Western Painted Turtle is on the provincial blue list.  This means they are considered vulnerable to habitat loss, and susceptible to human and natural disturbances.  Habitat is being lost because of pollution and waterway interference due to damming, agriculture, and urbanization of waterfronts.

Squirrel Whisperer -

Cindy IS the 'squirrel whisperer'! lol These little guys were so cute and curious.


We had gone to Haynes Point Provincial Park in Osyoos, British Columbia. Haynes Point is located on the west side of Osoyoos Lake near the border of Canada and the USA.

Haynes Point Provincial Park is situated the narrow sand spit that you can see in the photo, that almost cuts Osoyoos Lake in half. All along this spit of land, on both sides are amazing campsites. This is where we encountered these Red Squirrels.