He does blend in quite well with that submerged log but good for you finally spotting him...I like the blues and browns and the dark waters and wood texture...nice work!
Yes, the coloring of the shell and the striping on the neck make this painted turtle look like part of the dead tree. A lake I kayak every summer has hundreds of them in the backwater (even some common snappers) and this is their favorite sunning roost, allowing them to quickly dive if danger approaches. Nice shot, Jeff.
If you've ever wanted to make a difference but found it hard to believe that one person could... check out the Kiva Team Caedes discussion thread and discover that anything is possible.
How you manage to come across such scenes, amazes me. Excellent capture, the details and light emphasize the colors and textures on this turtle, and the title is just fantastic!