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Friday night I went with a group to an island off the SC coast that's uninhabited by humans (except two scientists) to help patrol the beach while the turtles were hatching. We mostly get loggerheads here, and I'd done some walks on other beaches just to check on nests, but this was the first time I'd seen the babies actually climb out of the sand and waddle off into the ocean. It is so amazing how they struggle to dig themselves out and climb over all the beach junk, heading straight for the water. They're only about two inches long, but it's all determination. The waves roll them up on the beach, but they head right back. They are wired to head for the brightness of the water at night when they hatch, but light pollution can confuse them, so patrollers also sometimes have to head them back in the right direction.
Once in the water, they swim for hours, even days, without stopping, clear out to the Sargasso Sea where they live for years until it's time to mate. ONly one of 10,000 eggs produces a mature turtle.
There is something incredibly fascinating about sea turtles. I've been hooked on them since the first time I saw a big one come up on the beach one night (many years ago) to lay her eggs--she was in such a trance, she didn't even know we were there until she finished, and then she lumbered off with such dignity, as if we still didn't matter at all.
Sadly, I came home to read that seven nests on Hilton Head had been poached, probably by humans (I understand raccoons and ghost crabs, but people!) And the shrimpers who don't want to use nets that keep the turtles out (they drown if they get tangled in the shrimp nets).
It was a little strange to me that I was the only person on the trip who wasn't a part of a couple--Bill is still in Chicago, and probably wouldn't have gone anyway. I somehow can't belileve that singles or other parts of couples aren't interested, but wonder why none went. I had a fine time--eveyone was very friendly, and most were very interesting, so much that I'd have enjoye the trip even if we hadn't seen a turtle. It was a fairly difficult trip--we couldn't wear insect repellent but had to go through the woods at night, so had to wear long pants and long sleeves in 98 degree twilight and still had hands and faces and toes royally chewed by the insects, who are in no danger of extinction.
I'll post some pictures if anyone emails me some--my camera was not cooperating.
Once in the water, they swim for hours, even days, without stopping, clear out to the Sargasso Sea where they live for years until it's time to mate. ONly one of 10,000 eggs produces a mature turtle.
There is something incredibly fascinating about sea turtles. I've been hooked on them since the first time I saw a big one come up on the beach one night (many years ago) to lay her eggs--she was in such a trance, she didn't even know we were there until she finished, and then she lumbered off with such dignity, as if we still didn't matter at all.
Sadly, I came home to read that seven nests on Hilton Head had been poached, probably by humans (I understand raccoons and ghost crabs, but people!) And the shrimpers who don't want to use nets that keep the turtles out (they drown if they get tangled in the shrimp nets).
It was a little strange to me that I was the only person on the trip who wasn't a part of a couple--Bill is still in Chicago, and probably wouldn't have gone anyway. I somehow can't belileve that singles or other parts of couples aren't interested, but wonder why none went. I had a fine time--eveyone was very friendly, and most were very interesting, so much that I'd have enjoye the trip even if we hadn't seen a turtle. It was a fairly difficult trip--we couldn't wear insect repellent but had to go through the woods at night, so had to wear long pants and long sleeves in 98 degree twilight and still had hands and faces and toes royally chewed by the insects, who are in no danger of extinction.
I'll post some pictures if anyone emails me some--my camera was not cooperating.
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