Snapping Turtle Laying Eggs

Description

During a bike ride I noticed this Snapping turtle laying eggs. They stay very still to lay, so it seemed an opportune moment. She was pretty big - probably 12"+ (30cm) - and was very cooperative, but I didn't get too close - she didn't like it when I went behind her. And snappers will take your finger off. Also the head on the model is messed up because she tracked me a bit as I walked around her. You'll also notice she's right on tire tracks - she's laying her eggs in a road that leads to a recently logged area. Here's hoping they're done logging, at least until her eggs hatch. 33 images, shot with a Pixel 2XL in the Carlos Avery Wildlife Managment Area, Columbus Minnesota, USA. Processed with Agisoft Metashape.