Dinosaur in the park

A couple of weeks ago we saw a big turtle in the murky creek water in the park. We thought it was a big snapper, but we had not seen it since, even though we've been on a lookout for it. I wondered what it did during the flooding, when the creek was several feet deeper and the current much stronger. Maybe it got swept downstream?

Well this morning I passed the same spot and this time the water was crystal clear. The turtle was just under the surface, with its big head under the bank. To me it looked at least two feet long and almost as wide and you could see its thick ridged tail undulating as it was rooting under the shore. There is something primeval and, in my eyes, evil about snapping turtles. They move slowly on land eyeing you with their cold tiny eyes on each side of that terrible beak, and you know that if they'd chomp down on you, you'd have a really hard time to get them to let go. Luckily Homer was oblivious of the monster and probably will stay away (barking loudly) if he ever notices it on land. However, since he enjoys wading and swimming in the very same creek I am a little concerned.