Made a new friend today in Boulder County Colorado.
The western painted turtle was designated the official state reptile of Colorado in 2008 thanks to the efforts of Jay Baichi’s 4th grade class. The 4th graders began the process to have the Western painted turtle designated as the Colorado state reptile in 2007. The next year students completed the necessary legal steps and Governor Ritter signed HB 08-1017 on March 18, 2008 naming the western painted turtle as Colorado’s reptile symbol.
Jay Baichi’s two classes (2007-2008) researched Colorado reptiles and decided that the Western painted turtle (a common sight around many Colorado ponds and lakes) was most representative of Colorado reptiles.
The painted turtle is the most widespread native turtle of North America. It lives in slow-moving fresh waters, from southern Canada to Louisiana and northern Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Within much of its range, it is the most numerous turtle. The turtle is the only species of the genus Chrysemys, which is part of the pond turtle family Emydidae. Fossils show that the painted turtle existed 15 million years ago, but four regionally based subspecies (the eastern, midland, southern, and western) evolved during the last ice age.
The adult painted turtle female is 4-10 inches long; the male is smaller. The turtle’s top shell is smooth and oval without a keel (ridge) on the top. Its skin is olive to black with red, orange, or yellow stripes on its extremities. The subspecies can be distinguished by their shells: the eastern has straight-aligned top shell segments; the midland has a large gray mark on the bottom shell; the southern has a red line on the top shell; the western has a red pattern on the bottom shell.
The turtle eats aquatic vegetation, algae, and small water creatures including insects, crustaceans, and fish. Although they are frequently consumed as eggs or hatchlings by rodents, canines, and snakes, the adult turtles’ hard shells protect them from most predators except alligators and raccoons. Reliant on warmth from its surroundings, the painted turtle is active only during the day when it basks for hours on logs or rocks. During winter, the turtle hibernates, usually in the muddy bottoms of waterways. The turtles mate in spring and autumn; between late spring and mid-summer females dig nests on land and lay their eggs. Hatched turtles grow until sexual maturity: two to nine years for males, six to sixteen for females. Adults in the wild can live for more than 55 years.
This Western painted turtle fine art photography print, stock image and canvas art is available in all sizes to decorate your home or office walls. This fine art photography print would be a great for a kids room. Please click on the image to go to the on-line gallery.
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James “Bo” Insogna Direct Line: 303-834-2524
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Biography
Bo Insogna was born in Pittsburgh, PA. A full time Professional Photographer in Boulder County Colorado. A Professional Portrait Photographer, Commercial, Stock Photography, Storm Chaser and Nature Lover.
He studied with the New York Institute of Photography. In 1984 Bo opened a commercial studio in downtown Boulder, Colorado, shooting for local businesses, magazines and newspapers. He also had the opportunity to shoot for the Bicycle Guide Magazine for the “Coors International Bicycle Classic”
In 1987 the economy in Colorado got bad and Bo decided to make a move to Scottsdale Arizona. While there he was the head staff photographer for the “Phoenician Arabian Magazine” doing the covers and a column “Bo Trek”. He had the pleasure to photograph beautiful Arabian Horses, riders and trainers.
Also that year was the first time Bo witness and photographed spectacular lightning storms and became a Storm chaser. Thus Arizona Lightning, TheLightningMan and Striking Photography By Bo was born. A lot has changed, back then they were shooting film and there was only a handful of lightning photographers. Many of the new ones have contacted and been inspired by Bo’s Lightning Work.
One of Bo’s images “Operation Desert Storm” was chosen by The Arizona Vietnam Vets for the Desert Storm Memorial Fund.
In 2007 Bo moved back to Colorado landing In Longmont Colorado, Boulder County just outside of Boulder opening a Home Studio.
His day job is a family and commercial photographer. Striking Photography by Bo. Pet photography, children photo’s, family portraits, senior portraits, professional head shots, model portfolios, commercial, stock photography, food and product.
His Night job is chasing lightning aka TheLightningMan.com and fine art nature landscape photography. His prints have been purchased from collectors from all over the world and have been featured on Television, Magazines, Newspapers, Books and licensed for all kinds of media.
One of Bo’s images was even purchased and licensed to The Hit TV show “In Plain Sight” . He also had the honor of being feature in the Russian Version of “Photographer Magazine”
Bo featured in Newspaper – For local man, photographing lightning is a calling Article Copy
Bo featured in Newspaper – STRIKE ZONE ? Lightning energizes nature photographer Article Copy
Bo featured in Newspaper – Lightning man strikes Boulder County Article Copy
There are shots that have been worked on for many years just to get the storm to be in the right place at the right time? and even more ? Bo being in the right place at the right time. His gear is always ready to go and when the crack of thunder sounds, it is his calling to get out and chase a storm. In other words when everyone is running inside ( and you should) it is out the door into the thick of things for Bo. It is more than just getting a shot of a lightning bolt? it is about getting an interesting and artistic shot of lightning.
“Lightning at Horseworld” took two years to get. “The Praying Monk Lightning Storm” took three years to get. And the most amazingly the shot of the year being worked on “Lightning and The Cross” took only 20 minutes! Somethings are meant to be.
Please make no mistake, it is extremely exciting to catch some lightning bolts on camera and is even an incredible rush? but it can be extremely dangerous. So if you decide you want to be a ?storm chaser? be aware of your surroundings and have the right gear.
There have been a few times all the hair on his body stood up and he knew there was a charge building, there have also been many situations he has crawled out of. When the Budweiser Storm images happened, that was a chase that almost took him from Boulder County to Wyoming. At the start of that photo shoot: First, the remote on the camera would get hit. Next, he would jump in the back of the SUV with his feet off the ground with comfort of four rubber tires for safety. It was the most erratic lightning he has ever seen. Scary stuff. You could not tell where the bolts were going to hit next. Front of you, behind you or on top of you! So safety is always number one.
Also, if you are an editor, and are interested in or looking for a good human interest story your readers or audience will love, images are always available please contact.
New Images are added and work is being uploaded all the time. So please check back.
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Got a question? Drop a note. Click on the contact us.
Questions about ordering? Call Bo’s Direct line: 303-834-2524
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