One of the great things about walking in the Meadowlands is you never know who you'll run into. I encountered this guy on the first day of summer.

  He saw me before I saw him, and froze. That appears to be a major terrapin defense mechanism: Act like part of the scenery until you decide it's time for Plan B.

  In the photo above, it's time for Plan B: Make a run for it.

  For a previous post on diamondback terrapins, including a short video, click here.

                                      — Jim Wright for NJMC