Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

The most feared snapping turtle in the United States is usually considered to be the alligator snapping turtle. They just look mean (and they are).


Second place is awarded to the common snapping turtle. They have the same generally bad disposition, the same ambush hunting techniques, and they are big enough to remove part of your hand if not just a few fingers. They will make short work of it too.




common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)



snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) underwater view

Click Beetle / Eyed-Elater (family elateridae)

Interesting beetle with a curious adaption. When adult click beetles (Elateridae) are placed on their backs, they have the ability to flip themselves over, sometimes going several inches into the air. This is done when the beetle arches its body, then suddenly snaps a pointed projection on the bottom of its prothorax into a small groove on the mesothorax. The eyed click beetle has two spots on its pronotum that resemble eyes, which may frighten predators, especially when the beetle flips into the air...



Click Beetle / Eyed-Elater (family elateridae) flying at night.

Jump! Leopard frog (Rana pipiens)

Continuing with the frog theme: Another technically challenging image that was accomplished with
the help of my friend Dr John Abbott at the University of Texas. I was in Texas to photograph bats (more on that later) but how can you pass up a cute frog?