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

The Film Drawer - Emerald Tree Boa (Corallus caninus)

Took a trip through the film archive for a recent request. I sometimes wonder how many images I have taken so far in my twenty year career...

Angry Rattler

I first spotted this rattlesnake in a horse pasture when it startled a horse – the horse then made a brief effort to stomp it to death, but wisely moved away. Then a house cat ran out from garden and began to harrass the thing. The snake went from angry to furious, and began striking at the cat – which was just quick enough to avoid getting tagged.

The snake took refuge under a rock fence brace, and I put the camera on an extension arm which was just able to fit into the hidey hole. I could see nothing, but I could hear the angry snake take offense at the intrusion. I used a remote trigger to quickly crank off a few frames and then left it in peace. Here is one of frames. The camera was outfitted with a superwide lens, so the snake is just inches from the lens.