I was watching the sunset across from the Tom Thumb in Seagrove, which was gorgeous btw, when someone walked over and said that the Sea Turtles were hatching. We had just discussed whether or not the nest was viable or not moments earlier.
Well, we headed on over to a group of others who were around the man-made barrier designating the turtle nest location. One man, I think Joe, who is a member of Turtle Watch, was there with a red flashlight and illuminated the opening in the sand.
I saw commotion within the hole and then the disticnt lines of a head and arms. The little rascal climbed from the hole and another turtle assumed the next position.
The first turtle headed in the correct direction, toward incoming waves, wasting no time. His steps were cute and his wiggle adorable. It looked like me when I'm drying myself off after a shower. Sorry for the visual
Anyway, the waves have been red flag waves and as the turtle approached the water, it seemed that he recognized he was close because his pace quickened as he touched against the wetter sand. Then, sure enough, a wave came to him, backed him up initially, but then carried his little swimming body away.
The second and third turtles that exited the nest followed the same script and successfully disappeared into the Gulf.
The second turtle was examined by Joe of turtle watch and it was determined that the turtle was a loggerhead.
Everyone was respectful of teh turtles and somewhat knowledgeable. More turtles were expected from the nest. When they will hatch I am not sure. But it was a rare opportunity to view such a spectacle and I wish those turtles the best. Perhaps they will be in a future video, swimming out at Sea.
Well, we headed on over to a group of others who were around the man-made barrier designating the turtle nest location. One man, I think Joe, who is a member of Turtle Watch, was there with a red flashlight and illuminated the opening in the sand.
I saw commotion within the hole and then the disticnt lines of a head and arms. The little rascal climbed from the hole and another turtle assumed the next position.
The first turtle headed in the correct direction, toward incoming waves, wasting no time. His steps were cute and his wiggle adorable. It looked like me when I'm drying myself off after a shower. Sorry for the visual
Anyway, the waves have been red flag waves and as the turtle approached the water, it seemed that he recognized he was close because his pace quickened as he touched against the wetter sand. Then, sure enough, a wave came to him, backed him up initially, but then carried his little swimming body away.
The second and third turtles that exited the nest followed the same script and successfully disappeared into the Gulf.
The second turtle was examined by Joe of turtle watch and it was determined that the turtle was a loggerhead.
Everyone was respectful of teh turtles and somewhat knowledgeable. More turtles were expected from the nest. When they will hatch I am not sure. But it was a rare opportunity to view such a spectacle and I wish those turtles the best. Perhaps they will be in a future video, swimming out at Sea.
Great post btw.