What Am I?

I saw this creature on my hike to Dutch Gap the other day. Can you figure out what it is?

Although, to you, I’m just reptile
To me, my life is quite worthwhile

I mostly live in H2O
But will rest on sunny log, though

To catch some rays and warm my blood
If scared, I’ll flop off with a thud

I’ll surface like a submarine
My tip of nose is all that’s seen

In boney armor I’m encased
To shield me when a foe I’ve faced

A turtle is your likely guess
But what species do you profess?

I’m colorful, with steaks of yellow
And red – a most splendid fellow

Although I may look marked with paint
An artist I most surely ain’t

Well, that is your most final clue
What beast am I? What now say you?

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I am an eastern painted turtle.  I found this one, likely a female out of the water to lay her eggs, along the road into the refuge.  I didn't have a book with me to check her against, but am pretty sure what this is.