Sometime back in 2022, I was out for a run when I almost stepped on what I thought was a rock. As I shifted sideways to avoid the ‘rock’(and more importantly the rolled ankle it would have caused), my subconscious shouted, “Hold up. That’s not a rock!”

I stopped and discovered I’d almost stepped on this little guy:

Impressive camouflage, Dude. Great for hiding from birds of prey, and a little too good at hiding from daydreaming humans.

He was smaller than my palm. Had I actually stepped on him, he probably would have fared much worse than my ankle. But disaster was averted. After I snapped a few pics, we went our separate ways, and I hoped he would make it to wherever he was going before some other unwitting runner or biker crossed his path (or a hungry predator came along).

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, around the same spot, I met this guy:

Of course, I realize that where there was one baby turtle there were probably dozens more. But I am going to pretend this is the same turtle, all grown up and enjoying the summer weather.

Happy Friday.