When I spotted this Eastern Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentina) from a distance yesterday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, I thought it might be a fox, because of its reddish-brown color. It was only when I got closer that I realized that it was a snapping turtle covered with mud—I suspect that she had recently been digging a nest to bury eggs. I got low trying to do an eye-level shot and am pleased with the expression that I was able to capture.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Wow! Love the face on shot, Mike!
The smirk of a smug Snapping Turtle satisfied with the completion of a job well done. Benjamin will love this photo! Thank-you, Mr. Mike!
What a great expression!
OH my gosh! I love his expression!
She is beautiful!!!
Great capture, Mike! It looks huge, those legs and feet are something!
The snapping turtle in fact was really big. I seemed pretty calm, but I was happy that I was shooting with a long telephoto zoom lens.
WOW! That is one grumpy looking turtle. Reminds me of the way I feel sometimes, early in the morning. M 🙂
I resemble that remark–especially before I have my morning coffee.
She looks very pleased with herself. I also think she’s just laid her eggs.
That’s what I think. I hope she is successful with the eggs hatching. I ran across recently what looked like some eggs that had been dug up and destroyed.