A Morning Encounter

DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING I SAW THIS SNAPPING TURTLE AT THE FOOT OF A NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY, ACROSS FROM THE POND. WOW! THIS IS ONE BIG TURTLE! HER SHELL WAS AT LEAST 12 INCHES WIDE AND 16 INCHES LONG.

THAT FACE, THOSE CLAWS!!

SHE STOOD UP TALL WHEN I GOT CLOSE, TRYING TO LOOK THREATENING - TO GOOD EFFECT! ISN'T SHE AMAZING?

TURTLES ARE IN TROUBLE IN MASSACHUSETTS. CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THEM, AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP. IF YOU SEE A TURTLE CROSSING THE ROAD, PLEASE HELP HER ACROSS. IN MAY OR JUNE SHE IS PROBABLY GOING TO OR FROM HER NESTING SITE. DON'T CHANGE HER DIRECTION - SHE KNOWS WHERE SHE IS GOING. AND PLEASE, DON'T BRING WILD TURTLES HOME.
MORE HELPFUL INFO ON HOW TO HELP TURTLES AT THE LINK ABOVE.