Here you see Porgy and Bess doing what painted turtles do best in August -- basking in the more protected areas of a pond. Unlike turtles in public parks, these remain shy since they’re not accustomed to seeing people. You have to sneak up on them to see them well through the cattails and shadows. (Fortunately, turtles don’t sun themselves topless.)
Mature PTs do make time to feed in the water for plants, small insects and snails, but their primary job for the year has been done. The August heat soon will hatch their babies that are buried in nearby earthen nests. Many of those hatchlings will dig themselves out and head for water, while some will remain in their nests and overwinter there.
(Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on August 13, 2026..