Prehistoric monster

 

A snapping turtle does its best Galapagos tortoise impression. Snapping turtles are easier to see in the spring when they look for good places to lay their eggs. They have extremely long necks that allow them to breathe while remaining submerged in shallow ponds. And that neck gives them amazing reach when it comes time to snap at a fish — or a photographer.

Snapping turtles are literal monsters. They eat ducklings and goslings and anything else that comes too close to their prehistoric maws.

This young snapper was crossing a path at Fernald and let me get a few pics before venturing into the marsh.