One overcast day, about halfway through my solitary wanderings in Japan, fatigue finally caught up with me. I left the manga cafe in search of Ritsurin Koen (栗林公園), one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens, for some peaceful walking and photography to recharge.

Once there, I happened across some turtles enjoying the pond waters. With some patience and slow movements, I sat down beside the water’s edge and played. A few bravely ventured forwards out of the water as I teased them with my fingertips and for just a few short seconds, one endangered female Chinese Pond Turtle (クサガメ) gave me the most delightful yawn.

Ahh, turtles… :)