Reptiles, Amphibians, Wildlife, and Photography

A Nesting Common Snapping Turtle

Common snapping turtles can be aggressive out of water. But this mother was too busy laying her clutch of eggs to concern herself with me.

A female common snapping turtle laying eggs. Note the pile of soil behind the turtle, left from the hole she dug. Photo by the author.

Perhaps I am the turtle, able to live simply anywhere, even underwater for short periods, with my home on my back. — Kurt Vonnegut

Whitewater State Wildlife Management Area is my favorite place to view and photograph birds. This morning, as I drove through the large preserve, I spotted a common snapping turtle in the grass on the side of the road.

I parked the car and walked toward the turtle. But it didn’t budge.

A female common snapping turtle laying eggs. Photo by the author.

The turtle had dug a hole and was depositing her eggs into the cavity. Its body, head, feet, tail, and eyes remained still as I photographed it from several angles.