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Subject:

Not for the squeamish: snapping turtle vs. green backed heron

From:

Kathy Isaacs

Reply-To:

Kathy Isaacs

Date:

Wed, 16 May 2007 19:08:08 -0400

This afternoon on an inlet of Bodkin Creek the resident snapper caught 
the resident green-backed heron by the foot.  The heron put up a huge 
fight, cheered on by a pair of mallards, a great blue heron, and a pair 
of Canada Geese one of whom actually attacked the turtle several times.  
After 20 minutes the smaller heron got away, minus a foot (the leg bone 
was bare and sticking out) and dragged himself out of the water.
Our assumption was that he would not last long.  Would there have been 
any purpose in trying to rescue him?
(Not that we had any interest in tangling with the snapping turtle who 
is well over 15 inches in diameter.)

Kathy Isaacs