Inspiration & Opportunity

Inspiration and opportunity sometimes go hand in hand. My inspiration on this particular day was to get the camera out and go find a scene or creature to snap some images.  I happened to look out the back sliding glass doors and see our state reptile, the Eastern Box Turtle, in my backyard.  Here was my opportunity, without loading up the car and taking a day trip. 

I walked around to get in front of the turtle, and got into the prone position, to shoot eyeball level with him.  It’s definitely a “him” with those bright reddish orange eyes, which is the fastest way to distinguish between a male and female Eastern Box.

Apparently, salad was on the lunch menu this day.  As I made adjustments to the camera and focused in on him, he stopped chewing and just stared at me.  He didn’t take another bite or move at all.  Maybe he thought he was hidden by remaining motionless. Or perhaps, he might have seen his own reflection in my lens and got a little irritated that another male had invaded his territory. All I know is he was very cooperative and remained there, finishing his lunch after I went back inside the house.

On a side note, I had taken a picture of a male Eastern Box the year prior, also in my backyard. Since the pattern on their shell is unique enough to tell them apart, I compared the images from two different years, and to my surprise, it was the same male! We share the same address and I’ll certainly keep an eye out for him this year.

He is my inspiration to shoot the same subject at least once a year and my opportunity is right in my backyard.  What opportunities in your backyard will inspire you to take a few pictures?