I spotted this large Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) in the grassy vegetation at the edge of one of the trails at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge on Monday. The turtle seemed to notice me as I bent down to take the shot, but made no attempt to move away (or to snap at me). Still. I decided to play it safe, kept a healthy distance from the turtle, and departed from the turtle without disturbing it from its comfortable resting spot.
In the past I have seen snapping turtles out of the water only in the spring, when they emerge from the muddy pond bottoms where they spend their winters, and when they are laying their eggs. I am not at all sure why this one decided to spend some time on dry land.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
A great shot! Would love to know what it is thinking! 🙂
That’s generally when I see them too aside from posing us with the question “Why did the snapping turtle cross the road” which we know is to lay eggs.
Yet, that’s most often the case. I just seems like mid-September is a bit late in the season to be laying eggs. The climate is relatively temperate here in Northern Virginia, but in a few months we risk having freezing temperatures at night.
Not that I think a warming climate is a good thing, but possibly the turtles sense a longer season and the babies will hatch in time to grow a bit before taking their mud snooze.
Wow! What an amazing creature! 😃
Great photo, Mike.
Sometimes young males are ousted by a dominant male and have to look for another body of water. Occasionally, if they haven’t yet mated, a male may go looking for a female even as late as November. Additionally, sometimes parasites or algae buildup causes them to sit in the sun to rid them of what may be problematic to their health.
Thanks,Eliza, for the possible explanations for the turtle’s behavior. They are all good possibilities.
A very knowing look!
Maybe waterlogged? Just kidding!
Actually I was worried about the opposite problem. We have had only a tenth of an inch of rain in September and below average rainfall in August. I read an article recently that we are just short of being in an official drought.
It’s so cute, with crazy neat eyes!