Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Wildlife => Topic started by: BoboBird on July 14, 2012, 01:31:26 PM

Title: Giant
Post by: BoboBird on July 14, 2012, 01:31:26 PM

The Giant Turtle. Easily 2 or more feet wide and maybe 5-6 feet long. Probably conservative here with the size. Awesome looking guy!

Usually stays underwater and have been trying to catch him since last summer when I first saw him briefly. Well he was in a super mood the other day and....

Would love an ID if anyone knows.

Thanks.

1. The head. Yes, that is moss on his head.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OCKiqDt3kog/UAGep_gwfKI/AAAAAAAAIpU/3csgI8MyGzs/s800/20120712_5763-1.jpg)

2. The tail
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yq2Ts3Re-EU/UAGevTng8NI/AAAAAAAAIp8/-XJX4tnZ650/s800/20120712_5749.jpg)

3. Full length
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RXXoUAcaw40/UAGerOkUVrI/AAAAAAAAIpc/GX5r7kz4myM/s800/20120712_5746.jpg)

4. The turbulence when it goes under
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-m1L0_WBNSG0/UAGezz-FcWI/AAAAAAAAIqU/snDV1z2h9qk/s800/20120712_5742.jpg)

Title: Re: Giant
Post by: JW Mills on July 14, 2012, 02:17:22 PM

Nice catch Bobo!
It's a Snapping Turtle.
The Toronto Zoo Turtle Tally would probably appreciate a report on this sighting as well as pics;
http://www.torontozoo.com/AdoptAPond/TurtleTally.asp (http://www.torontozoo.com/AdoptAPond/TurtleTally.asp)

Title: Re: Giant
Post by: BoboBird on July 14, 2012, 02:32:25 PM

Thanks John, will do just that. :)

Title: Re: Giant
Post by: lovemypt on July 14, 2012, 02:41:21 PM

4-5 ft ah..........are sure that wasn't the rock it was sitting on.  ....hee. hee.  I have seen some big one,s but..... better watch your car it might want a snack

Dave

Title: Re: Giant
Post by: egret on July 14, 2012, 02:42:20 PM

oh my word!  
looks like a monster

very good shot!

Egret :D

Title: Re: Giant
Post by: BoboBird on July 14, 2012, 03:10:41 PM

Turtle Tally submission - done.

Wanted to send the head shot but since only 1 pic per submission sent the full length instead.

Oh, he is HUGE and I am positive my estimate is off.

Dave - not unless car goes into the water. :)

Egret - thanks.

Title: Re: Giant
Post by: Bird Brain on July 14, 2012, 06:16:33 PM

BoboBird - awesome photos!   8)  I sighted a huge Snapping Turtle like that one many years ago in Belleville, wandering around the grass at back of hotel early in the morning.   They sure look prehistoric, eh?  

John ... Thank You for posting the link, will be sending in some info.!

Title: Re: Giant
Post by: BoboBird on July 15, 2012, 04:10:15 PM

Thanks Jo-Anne. yes pretty dino'esque. :)

Title: Re: Giant
Post by: mr.sharp-photo on July 25, 2012, 04:08:25 PM

saw a big one like that sunning itself near the Don river. those things grow.....