Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentine, Closeup
This Common Snapping Turtle had just dug out from under the mud where he/she slept through the winter, and was out and about seeking to fulfil its desires: likely sex and food, in that order. This one was about 18-20 inches long from snout to tail and feisty - very unhappy about my impeding his/her pursuits. Definitely big and strong and quick enough to remove any unwary fingers within striking distance... I crept up on my belly, made this photograph, and fortunately was backing away before he/she became aggressive. I decided it was best not to further disturb the poor creature, and went away... Manual lens used was Olympus OM 50mm f/2 Macro, probably at f/4.
