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Laura and I spent the majority of the afternoon on April 6, 2008, in an almost-fruitless attempt at reaching Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, located in Illinois' most remote county, Calhoun. The two rivers in question are the Illinois, which forms its eastern border, and the Mississippi, which creates its border on the west and south.

Being surrounded on three sides by rivers, seeing aquatic wildlife shouldn't be a surprise. This snapping turtle froze with fear upon seeing us, which allowed me to take its picture from a safe distance. I was in no mood to find out how strong its jaws are, or to experience its claws.