Mata Mata

The mata mata is one weird-looking turtle. All photos are from the Columbus Zoo.

It's got a huge mouth (video). One time I saw it open, along that line below the nose and eyes.

 

My best of 2018

Everyone else is reviewing 2018, so here are some of my best photos taken this year. All are from the Columbus Zoo except as noted.

San Esteban chuckwalla

Inca tern (Cincinnati Zoo)

polar bear

Lee, a male polar bear arrived at the Columbus Zoo in November. (Neither of these is he.)

A polar bear and zoo visitors examine one another.

Flowers across the trumpeter swan pond. This photo was taken in September, and they might be asters.

The  foot of a mata mata, a species of turtle

A hamerkop looks quizzical.

rose-breasted grosbeak (female)

a bee

I take 100-150 pictures during a 2-3 hour zoo trip, although I took 297 during my latest trip to Toledo December 15. Some photos are of signs so that I can later identify the animal. I delete horrible pictures from the camera and more after I get home (I keep too many, though). I'm happy if I get half a dozen top-notch photos.