Turtle update

Today I went on a walk for about an hour along the Aliso Creek. I had gotten reports on a specific area that turtles had been seen there. Immediately I sprang into action! I rushed over to the spot and began my search. Immediately I noticed that this particular area of the trail was not as crowded as the other parts. I also noticed the abundance of possible nesting sites for turtles, compared to the relatively low amount in some of my other survey spots. This area was more forested than the others and definitely more secluded. As I weave my way around a forested bend I notice a large pond, which is getting the majority of its water from a large cement overhang that acts as a dam. I walk slowly down the rocks until I reach the bottom where I am met with the sound of sloshing mud beneath my feet. I trudge along the muddy bank for another 50 or so feet, reaching a cement slope. I climb this slope carefully and slowly, watching for any wildlife that may appear. At the top of this overhang is a dip in the sand that goes down about two feet. A fence circles this dip. I jump across the small dip and shimmy across the fence to an opening that gives way to the main path. I keep walking on my search for a turtle, or a sign of a hibernating one. I descend another set of rock steps onto a mud bank beneath a noisy bridge. I sit for a few minutes observing the shallow water. I leave my perch on the sand bank and walk along a new mud slope, this time much closer to water, and much more dense with flowers and reeds. I continue along this path for a good  300 feet. The reeds begin to rise. In no time at all the reeds have reached my waist. Then my shoulders. Then my head. Now I am completely surrounded. I trudge on through the mud and reeds finally reaching a clearing. I wait and watch the water for any sign of turtle. There is nothing. I climb back up the rocks and walk along the road to my original spot near the pond. As I turn the corner around the cement dam, my eyes light up. Turtle! A red eared slider darts underneath the waters surface. As I leave the creek with my observations and notes, I am greeted with the sensation of a successful day in the field.