Great Silver Water Beetle in thick vegetation pond, Netherlands

I like the surprised look on the face of this Great Silver Water Beetle. This concerns one of Europe's largest beetles. It may be called a "scavenger" beetle yet adults feed pretty much only on plants. If you look closely, you can see 2 small antennae sticking out from below its mouth. During swimming it will use those as a snorkel, to breath under water.

This species is generally common, yet locally rare. It has a protected status, you're not allowed to capture or harm it. Should you just want to hold it, don't, as it has razor sharp spurs on its hind legs.