NEWS

American Freshwater Turtle Research Group turtle count proves challenging on day one

Sara Diggins
Austin American-Statesman
North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group coordinator Eric Munscher and his son, Lincoln, 2, look at turtles caught in Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group coordinator Eric Munscher and his son, Lincoln, 2, look at turtles caught in Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
Sara Diggins/ American-Statesman
A North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group member holds a hatchling turtle pulled from Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
A North American Freshwater Turtle Research Group member holds a hatchling turtle pulled from Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
Sara Diggins/ American-Statesman
Kids look at turtles caught in Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
Kids look at turtles caught in Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
Sara Diggins/ American-Statesman
Researcher Mandi Gordon and her niece, Avery English, 6, get ready to dive for turtles in Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
Researcher Mandi Gordon and her niece, Avery English, 6, get ready to dive for turtles in Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
Sara Diggins/ American-Statesman
Diver Regan Kelley, center, dives for turtles in Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022 as restaurant patrons look on. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
Diver Regan Kelley, center, dives for turtles in Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022 as restaurant patrons look on. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
Sara Diggins/ American-Statesman
Garrett English, 10, gets ready to dive for turtles in Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
Garrett English, 10, gets ready to dive for turtles in Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
Sara Diggins/ American-Statesman
Kids touch turtles pulled from Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
Kids touch turtles pulled from Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
Sara Diggins/ American-Statesman
Researcher Mandi Gordon and her niece, Avery English, 6, dive for turtles in Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
Researcher Mandi Gordon and her niece, Avery English, 6, dive for turtles in Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
Sara Diggins/ American-Statesman
Researcher Mandi Gordon rubs her eyes after an unsuccessful search for turtles in Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
Researcher Mandi Gordon rubs her eyes after an unsuccessful search for turtles in Bull Creek during the annual turtle count at County Line Barbecue, Sept. 17, 2022. The turtle count proved more challenging that previous years, due to silty waters and smart turtles.
Sara Diggins/ American-Statesman