Long telephoto lenses tend to distort your depth perception. On Tuesday I watched this North American Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) swimming about in a pond at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. I was a bit creepy as the turtle got bigger and bigger in my viewfinder when it began to swim directly towards me. One part of my brain objectively knew that the turtle was still a long way off, but it was nonetheless a bit disconcerting when the snapping turtle’s dinosaur-like eyes appeared to be staring right at me.
Spring is here, though the weather has been cool recently and there were some local frost warnings last night, and all kinds of creatures are waking up. I’m still looking for my first dragonfly of the year and will probably continue my quest later today.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Fun and cool photo, Mike.
Thanks, Jet. The shot is a little quirky, but I really enjoying trying to take photos from all kinds of angles–I never know for sure which ones will turn out best.
Can almost hear the Jaws theme! Watch your fingers and toes, Mike!!
I just checked, Molly, and so far I still have all of my fingers and toes. 🙂
The turtle looks so dinosaur-like in this shot. Definitely intimidating.
Thanks, Laura. There is something positively prehistoric about the look of a snapping turtle that is both impressive and intimidating.