The Umpqua River Monster

No, not a monster, just a western pond turtle appearing to yawn as it swims through a layer of moss on the surface of the Umpqua River near Elkton in southwestern Oregon. Found only on the far western coast of North America, populations of western pond turtles are in decline due to disease, habitat destruction, and the introduction of invasive predators. Washington State lists the turtle as an endangered species and in Oregon they are listed as a conservation strategy species.