Tags
Declining Sea Turtles, Marine Conservation. Pretoma, Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, Playa San Miguel Costa Rica, Where's My Backpack Beaches, Why are sea turtles dying
Ailsa’s theme for this week is beaches, and I am blessed to have spent a large part of the past dozen years along the beaches of Central and South America. This post reflects the rewards of visiting the beach in the magical hours at the beginning and end of each day.
The ocean often tosses more than driftwood on the beaches.
During one rainy season at Playa San Miguel Costa Rica, the resident marine biologist flagged me down about an hour before sunset, “Lisa! There’s a turtle nesting!”
Jeff gave me directions and immediately dashed away. I abandoned my task, grabbed my camera and dashed after him! I had been patrolling the beach at night with the ‘turtle patrol’ and had captured a few sea turtles at dawn, but had yet to catch one in good light.
Most sea turtles nest beneath the cloak of darkness, but this lady was anxious to play her role in propagating her species! A small crowd gathered and watched in hushed silence as she operated in trance mode, dug her nest, laid her eggs, covered them, camouflaged the nest, then returned to the sea.
Wanting to catch that egg-dropping moment, I sprawled out at sand level and focused on the dark pit beneath the turtle.
“Lisa. She’s going to get you,” Jeff warned.
“I know,” I replied without taking my eyes off the target.
“Lisa….” he warned.
“I know,” I smiled, “It will be worth it..”
About that time the turtle’s flipper slung a cloud of sand in my face – and in the camera’s.
We all laughed, and yes, I got some great photos!
Every so often the camera goes into an in/out/in/out/in/out mode and then says, ‘Remove lens cap and push any button.”
The years are magically wiped away, and I am again at Playa San Miguel and witnessing a primal event so sacred that it was worth risking my camera!
At times a camera shop corrects the problem, and all is fine until Life decides to remind me of that mystical evening when I had the honor of being baptized with beach sand by an olive ridley sea turtle!
After the turtle returned to her rightful place in the sea, and the sun sank beyond the horizon, an explosion of color ignited the sky. There was no doubt that I was exactly where I was meant to be at that hour!
Thank you, Mother Nature!
For more information about the decline of the olive ridleys, see The Red-Light District and A Fragile Balance.
See more beach scenes at Alisa’s Travel Theme Beaches.
Have a good weekend, amigos!
PS.. Dear Doris just posted one about baby turtles as well! http://miartedoris.wordpress.com/2013/05/10/sea-turtle-release-south-padre-island/
johnandmarylivingitupinecuador said:
Simply beautiful – Mary and I still treasure the interaction we had with turtles in Mexico in 2005. Once in a lifetime, but still fresh in our memory.
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
yes, the turtles are amaziing. i knoe that the sea turtles are tracked out of the valdivia area and would like to find out more about the sea turtles in our area. i am told that ‘what happens way out at sea’ regarding commercial fishing, is not good.
microrrelatososhortstories said:
You were meant to be there!! This is so amazing…and yes, how can we teach our children to be the voice of nature, speaking up for its rights?! Thank you for this enchanting post Z, take care, Alexandra
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
what i learned from my time with the biologists is that nature often loses when civilization moves into the area. the light pollution confuses the turtles, and they to to the light instead of following the cycles of the moon. it’s truly sad, how we deem that waterfront property as prime real estate, and we drive the species into extinction.
foresterartist said:
Wonderful post Z. Thanks for sharing.
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
thank you! it’s always great to know that you both are there holding down your own special corner of nature’s paradise.
foresterartist said:
🙂
vastlycurious.com said:
That sunset is just spectacular !!!! WOW!
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
ha! it’s such a spectacular sunset that it makes us forget things!
vastlycurious.com said:
I was so drawn to your sunset I forgot to comment on the state of your beaches. The turtle made me very sad. I have watched a turtle lay eggs in Florida at night and then the rangers put up a fence around the eggs. Its a miracle to watch them hatch and head for the water!
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
Thank you so much for your comment. seeing the turtles is a very special experience. the hatchlings are precious when they find their way to the ocean as if they had been programmed in autopilot!
vastlycurious.com said:
Yes they migrate with a mission but the roads…oh the roads..
cindyricksgers said:
Wonderful, wonderful! I share your hope that we can impress upon children to care for this world. Thank you!
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
thank you, cindy. yes, it’s important to find a way to reach the children, as they will be the ones who inherit the mess that our generation made!
Barneysday said:
An absolutely wonderful post. I’m glad that someone like you so appreciates the beauty of nature.
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
thank you so much! i am glad that you enjoyed the post; that beach is special, and i hope that the turtles always return.
z
travelerlynne said:
Evidence that life is good for this fortunate turtle…eggs safely removed while she returns to the sea. What better experience for these kids to witness and connect to. I love the sand baptism you got (and deserved) 🙂 and that gorgeous sunset. Thanks, Lisa.
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
oh yes, during times like that we feel alive and well!
Follygirl said:
That’s so beautiful, THANK YOU so much! Hope they will lern to respect and love mother earth with all her creatures!
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
you are so very welcome! i am glad that you enjoyed the post, and yes, we have to start with the young ones in order to make progress for the future…
Doris said:
they say great mind think a like…I just posted about sea turtles release near where I live and the I come to your blog and this beautiful post about life and the beach, incredible! Great photos like always!
catbirdinoman said:
It’s so amazing to see the turtles laying their eggs on the beach. We have in Oman a big turtle reserve called Ras Al Jinz, where the turtles are protected. It really is great to be able to observe them. 🙂
thirdeyemom said:
Sea turtles are so amazing! I would love to see them lay their eggs. What a treat! And that last picture is utterly spectacular!!
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
thanks; it was a spectacular end to a spectacular day!
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Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
thank you amiga!!! ping ping!
restlessjo said:
Fantastic captures, Zee! I’m heading for my beach place again on Sunday but the one thing it’s missing is these amazing turtles. 🙂
Suzanne said:
What a lovely sequence of photos. The story of the sea turtles in fascinating.
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
thank you! i’m very lucky to have spent so much time with the turtles!
The Wanderlust Gene said:
Love that last shot of her, crashing through the waves just as the sun begins to rise … fingers crossed for her survivors. Great sunrise, Liza 🙂
Gallivanta said:
I love the way your camera keeps reminding you of your baptism by sand.
mrscarmichael said:
Thank you for that post.
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
muchas grrrrrrrracias! thank you for your comment! z
OyiaBrown said:
Reblogged this on Oyia Brown.
colinmichaelmoore said:
Nice job. This is why I visit blogs.
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
thank you so much! that’s a very kind and honest comment!
z
Island Traveler said:
I felt like the little kids. So happy, excited, just full of wonder. Yes, we do need to protect nature and make the new generation value it’s priceless significance to balance and survival. One of my dream, to see something like this in person with my son. Crossing my fingers.
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
you will surely see that. don’t sea turtles nest somewhere along the texas coast? hmmmm. if they DID, and man has spooked them away, that would be so sad.
yes, your son needs to witness that… not only the female coming ashore and going back but also the hatchlings finding their way to the ocean…
dalecooper57 said:
Love the seasnake and the sunset photos
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
thank you! the snake was so pretty, and that sunset was a stunner!
Marylin Warner said:
Wow, amazing pictures. And the flipper flinging mud was a delight.
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
yes, it certainly reminds one to be awake in the moment! happy mother’s day early, amiga.
Madhu said:
What a magical and moving phenomenon Lisa! I am yet to join our turtle watch here. Calling them first thing Monday. Thank you for yet another fabulous post 🙂
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
oh if you make one of those walks, i’d best fasten my seat belt for your post that follows! we have just had a new moon, and the turtles in costa rica usually get most active several days past that new moon.
good luck! i hope that you’re able to watch for those madres soon!
firstandfabulous said:
*speechless*
🙂
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
thanks! are you a chatty person or one of few words? my nature depends on the day.. i can be chatty but i prefer very long slices of quiet. just curious.. maybe i should write a post and ask for feedback on that one!
btg5885 said:
Thanks Z. I love the pictures and story. On Bald Head Island off the NC coast, they have a problem with turtles getting run over. The street lights distract them and they head the wrong way and cross the road. So, since man is causing this, every year there are turtle shepherds who turn the hatched turtles toward the sea.
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
oh that is so sad, but thankfully someone is helping those turtles find their way to the ocean.
i have witnessed that phenomenon in costa rica when the biologist turned on his flashlight and guided those turtles into a U turn.. when he turned his flashlight back off, they turned back to the ocean and resumed their trek to the white-capped surf.
yes, modern mad has squeezed out nature in so many ways.
bluebrightly said:
Thank you Lisa – I’m glad you’re doing the turtle patrol, and setting a good example. It’s a long, uphill battle, but there’s hope when people get the kids involved. Gorgeous photos!
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
thank you; yes, the children are the future. let’s hope they learn from our generation’s mistakes!
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Richard said:
What a magnificent spectacle you witnessed! I too love sea turtles & recently had the opportunity to snorkle with them at St. John, USVI. Awesome!
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
That must have been an amazing experience! How great!
Thank you, Richard!
Z
LuAnn said:
Just one word Z…fabulous! 🙂
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
thank you so much! z
Amy said:
Thank you for extending the beach theme to bring the awareness of taking care of nature! Brilliant. Thank you, z!
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
it’s always great to compare attitudes with like-minded people. thank you for caring about our planet as well! z
Lucid Gypsy said:
Amazing, I’ve been to turtle beaches in two places but never at the right time!
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
oh wow; i hope that the third time is a charm! maybe you can plan a trip based on a time when turtles are nesting..
babso2you said:
Wonderful! What an opportunity to watch and what wonderful folks to help preserve future generations! Hugs – B
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
yes, it’s always great when a turtle comes ashore in the lingering light!
Fergiemoto said:
I love the sea turtles! What a treat to see that!
I hope I can someday, too!
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
hopefully you’ll get to see them nest one day/night or at least cheer the little ones to the sea! it’s a very primal moment,, one where conversations would intrude on hte moment.
may you get that wish!
z
Lynda said:
Yes, you were meant to be there. I for one am glad that you answered the call! Thank you, Lisa, for this beautiful pictorial.
Do you remember, that we first ‘met’ over one of your turtle posts? 😀
Playamart - Zeebra Designs said:
hey amiga! si, i think sometimes paths are meant to cross no matter what our choices! those turtles probably do a lot more for bringing people together than we realize. they play many roles! z