This was an opportunity of a lifetime. While visiting our daughter, we got a call (from our daughters co-worker who cruises the beach every night looking for nesting sea turtles) about a leatherback sighting. We rushed to the scene and here we found this leatherback beginning to lay eggs. They thought she was young and a first time nester because she only dropped about 60 eggs. Typically, they drop 100 eggs or so. Anyway, she hadn't been tagged so they procedded to tag her and she needed a name...well, I got to name her and since it was April 1st I named her April. We were able to follow her (using her tracking device) for a couple of years until she lost the device . Quite amazing to see how far they travel and to come back to their original nesting site, hopefully, every year. BTW, they estimated this young female to be about 400-500 lbs and was over 5 feet long from head to tail! Her co-worker asked if we'd stay until she went back into the ocean and of course we did as you can see in the photo.
13 comments:
Wonderful and how exciting to be part of the sighting and to name the turtle.
Great photos!!And truly the opportunity of a lifetime
Wow, what an experience!
My post is here: Carletta’s Captures.
Wow, what a wonderful opportunity. Your photos are fantastic. I'm glad you got to experience this and that you shared these amazing photos. Thank you :)
Fantastic shots,
they are beautiful :)
(@^.^@)
Have a nice weekend !!
Wow that's a big turtle. I'm glad you were there to get the photos!
That must have been just a wonderful experience. Great shots!
Wow..nice post. What a beautiful turtle-
Now that's really cool Vicki! :-)
Wow, you were so lucky! I envy you. We have been volunteering to do turtle walks one morning a week, here on Sanibel Island. I also have a sea turtle blog. I don't know why I hadn't run across yours before. Love the photo of your daughter with the turtle in her lap. :-) I believe I have a link to ccturtle on my blog. I love reading about and following with the turtle tracking.
wowwwwwwwww Fabulous! My mommy loves so much turtles!
Thanks for this adorable post!
purrs and love
Luna and mommy Léia
(weloveluna.blogspot.com - Camera Critters )
Fantastic experience for you, who so obviously love turtles. I haven't seen many as they are not in New Zealand waters, but I do think they are deserving of being saved!
You're so fortunate to have such an amazing experience!
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