Finally!!!
Most of the summer we have been anticipating the hatching's of these little babiess. We started seeing nests in late July and read that it takes 60 days of incubation. So that would have put us in September roughly around the week of the 24th. So for 2 weeks, I would drive 30 minutes 1 way just to see if I could see anything/something. Either way I would go when the sun was rising, after the gym or at night if I didn't make it in the morning. By the 2nd week, Jeff was concerned about gas money! lol I didn't care, I had to see it. It's almost like it would be a check to the Bucket List we should all have, but not yet created. I have a few things checked off of that soon to be created list and this is one.
So long story short, I definitely missed the hatching. Jeff and I took the boy out there and there was change to one particular nest. Not to the other 3 that I had been watching. I was so sad and still hoped that we might see something and after relaying this and dragging my MIL out there with me a few times, she finally decided to call.
Thank God she did cause they were going out that night to check on the remaining babies that didn't hatch yet. So FYI all of the babies had hatched, I was wasting my time:( and I knew it would be like hitting the lottery. Oh by the way I have the worst luck so there you go!
So each year these people (The lady below named Donna) have 1 or 2 nest they watch over. When the season comes for these mama turtles to lay their eggs, these people walk the beaches before the sun rises and after the sun has set checking for tracks and mounds of sand. When they see these tracks, they mark off the mounds and date them. I didn't get the date on this nest cause I had been tracking the ones South of this one. They then do the same when its close to hatch time. After they discover tracks from the nest, they then check the nests by digging up eggs and seeing how many have died, unhatched or trying to make their way up. Let me tell you, the hole is deep and it's amazing to know that they could even find their way out of there. This particular nest had 1 dead egg and this little one that was half way out of its egg. She said it was totally normal for a few to be left behind and her job was to make sure she helped them out. They report and file paper work to the state when they do this! Its all being tracked and from what she said and I read, sea turtle are endangered and it is illegal to do any harm to them.
(This is her getting set up)
The first of the eggs to be seen
As she pulled them out, she lined them up by 10s.
Here was the only dead egg out of this 1 nest. We all passed it around to feel it.
And there it is, they only little one left!
She actually documents every detail of this nest. She called it a name as to how this guy was found, but I don't remember. But she said she has to state that he was half way out of his shell.
She kept this baby in the bucket until she was done with the rest of the eggs. After she checked the nest, it was time to watch this little one make it's way to the water. It was low tide, so it had a ways to go!
127 eggs hatched and 1 dead making a total of 128 eggs!
Isn't it cute! It was so small and cute! I think the cutest little baby animal I've ever seen.
On its way to the great big sea. It was slow at first, but as it gained its strength it was going after that. We all made 2 single file lines on each side of the turtle and helped clear its path and rooted it along. We all were either clearing/smoothing the lumps in the sand, taking pictures or recording its little journey to the water.
A Green Sea Turtle has long front paddles and a tear drop shell.
Right when it made it to the water!
I love this picture! Definitely framing this one!
And off it went. When it reached the water the lady told us to just stand and watch at that point. The wave would wash it up and down the shore and didn't want anyone to step on it.
Finally getting sucked out. The lady stayed and made sure it got past most of the waves. She was out in the water in her sneakers and making sure that little turtle made it.
Oh you know, it wouldn't be a successful beach trip without one getting wet!
Just some facts that I gathered from the great ole internet about green turtles:
Green Sea Turtles are also known as Black Turtles
Its range extends throughout tropical and subtropical water
They had 2 distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean
Their namenames come from the fat found beneath their upper shells
Tear drop shell
Larger paddle like flippers
Usually live in shallow lagoons feeding on a wide range of seagrass
Mama turtles lay eggs at night
Maturity may live to be 80 years old in the wild
It's illegal to harm, collect or kill them
As Kathy said, it was like cheering on an Olympian in the Olympic, but much better.
I couldn't agree more, it was so exciting to see and watch this baby make it's way into this great big sea. That small little thing exploring such a big beautiful place!
Simply Amazing!
I have a Loggerhead to show you next! Next post.......
