Hatchling Green Turtle Climbing a Rocky Ledge

A tiny turtle hatchling clings to a face of grey, weathered rock, seen from directly above. Its dark, rounded shell is marked with a pattern of scutes that shade from near-black to warm brown. The slim flippers are spread wide, and each has a clean white edge that stands out against the stone. The head is raised and turned slightly, as if the animal is picking its way upward. The rock around it is speckled with grey, cream and olive-green patches of lichen or algae. The light is soft and even, the palette is muted, and the mood is quiet and a little determined.

The caption identifies this as a green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) observed at Heron Island, Queensland, on 25 January 2020. Green turtles nest on tropical and subtropical beaches, and the Great Barrier Reef region is one of their best-known breeding areas. Eggs hatch after about two months in the sand, and the hatchlings must reach the sea on their own. Adults are largely herbivorous and graze on seagrass and algae. The landscape format and the mid-tone grey background suit a widescreen desktop monitor, where the small subject sits well beside desktop icons.

More like this: Killer Whales Approach a Seal on Ice.