I'm skeptical, I have seen many snappers with algae like that COVERING them, usually the shell. It does look realistic though, especially under the eye. Cool looking turtle, though, even without the algae.
Chris van Wyk is the photographer, this is an endangered Mary river turtle, that is algae on it's head. From Queensland Australia.
It's in my Ripleys believe it or not book lol
Thanks for chiming in! That's pretty neat getting the photographer's name even. It's a beautiful turtle, that's all I'm sure of. Any the moss hawk is pretty awesome too!