Today's Dinosaurs

I love this image despite its imperfections because of its unusual perspective of subject.  Most pictures of tortoises, or any animal for that matter, are taken of their heads.  I was transfixed by this 64 year old's back foot and how alien it was in comparison to my own.  We both drink water, we both eat our vegetables, and we both walk yet we are so different.  Tortoises and turtles are a few of the last species that survived the far-reaching extinction of the dinosaurs. It is horribly depressing to imagine that we are the cause of the decline for these durable creatuers.  If people focused on the similarities we share with animals as well as the multitude of wonderfully unique characteristics they have then a greater appreciation for all of life could emerge and we could continue to live among some of the most timeless species to ever grace this earth.