This is a hand signed matted 8"x8" print of an original watercolor painting titled "The Baby Red-eared Slider". Each image is printed with archival inks on watercolor paper stock for a long lasting print resistant to fading. For every print sold, I will be donating 10% of the profit to wildlife rehab facilities, organizations & sanctuaries.
The encounter story: During a warm spring day while out photographing wildlife near my neighbor’s natural pond, a tiny bit of reddish-orange caught my eye. As I inched closer I realized I had found a baby red-eared slider in the mud basking in sun. I honestly couldn’t believe how small he was—almost, but not quite 3” long. I was fascinated and had the wonderful opportunity of sitting close by and watching. I was mesmerized by the colors that poked through his muddy little body and shell. After a while he slowly started shimmying back to the water using his sharp tiny claws to navigate through the thick mud.
If you ever wondered why they are called pond sliders, it is because of their quick retreat into the water when they feel threatened. You can often find them like I did, basking in the sun around the edges of ponds or lakes (especially in muddy areas). They are primarily vegetarians, however they do indulge in snails, crayfish, insects, tadpoles and even fish on occasion. This specific slider, called the red-eared slider, is named so after its reddish-orange stripe that sits just behind each eye. Next time you are out near still waters (such as ponds, lakes, swamps, etc.) take a good look around, you might have the joy of observing a slider!
