Snapping turtles are big time loners. They lumber through their domain alone, muddy, dirty, weathered and more than a little hostile. A few years ago I saw this gnarly snapper basking in the sun for a moment. As is too often the case, having a camera with me somehow eclipsed any fear of or respect for the (stated) 1.000 pounds per square inch bite of this turtle. I laid down right next to it and cozied up for the shot, after all the shot is everything. I escaped unscathed and the snapper went along to its endless walking in the marsh. Snapping turtles live about 30 years in the wild and spend all that time wandering about their home range looking for food, a mate, or another turtle invading tis territory to fight off. The detail on the face of this snapper speaks to me about its many hard years eking out an existence on the land/marsh. Hot, cold, wet dry its there, just walkin’ about. The face says it all.
