I can finally feel a touch of autumn in the air when I’m out on photo hikes. The rains have stopped, the humidity has fallen to breathable levels, and after this holiday weekend… I may get my beaches back.
The past two days, I’ve broken with routine and spent hours sitting in the sand. In the middle of the night, with only a red-lens pin light for illumination. Loggerhead sea turtle nests are at their hatching peak, and my daughter and I, along with several other watchers, have been nest sitting.
So far, there has been no activity in the nest our group has adopted, one of 17 identified along an eight-mile stretch of beach between Destin and Fort Walton Beach, FL. According to our senior watcher, the nests are ready to hatch between 55-65 days after the mother lays eggs. The nest we were watching was at days 61 and 62. I hope to go back again tonight.
The resort development along that stretch poses a danger to the newly hatched turtles because of the bright white lights. When turtles hatch, typically at night, they instinctively move toward the sea and the moon. The hotel lights mimic the moon’s glow and often the turtle turn away from the water. One nest hatched early and several babies ended up in a hotel pool. They, together with 125 of their nest mates, were rescued and released into the Gulf.
You can click on any image to see a larger photo, or the series as a slideshow.
(Photos shot with a Nikon D60, using an 18-55mm, 55-200mm, 20mm f/2.8 wide-angle, 50mm f/1.8 prime lens, and/or iPhone4)
Thin spiral notebook 
Civilization really messes with wildlife sometimes. I’m impressed that there are people like you willing to keep watch and keep the sea turtles safe!
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I hope you get to see some action! I have always wanted to do that, maybe one year….
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Wow! I had no idea that the turtles would follow any light like that.
I am headed to your neck of the woods next months — I’m spending two days and nights at the state park in Destin — you’ll have to give me the “must sees”
🙂
Traci
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turtle nest watching – I didn’t know that was an activity you could sign-up for. Any chance you’ll get pictures of the run for the sea?
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My daughter found out about the nest watchers and signed up us. I certainly hope I can see the nest hatch. We can use red-lens lights, and that would be enough to get pictures.
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Sea turtle watching…now THAT would be a wonderful experience.
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I’ve met some really great people and have learned about other opportunities to give back to my natural community.
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I’ve seen the nesting areas it would be very exciting to see them actually hatch and crawl to the ocean!
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I think it would be awesome too. I hope to go back on Sunday night.
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Hi Tara, I’ve been reading your blog for close to a year now. You are one of the reasons I moved here 🙂 Excited to see those eggs hatch.
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Thanks, Lisa. I hope you’ve enjoying Florida as much as I have. Thanks for for reading and sharing.
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Thank you watchers saving turtles!
Your photos are amazing – again. Have a good week ahead!
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Thanks! I haven’t saved any yet, but hope to at least see these turtlettes hatch.
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I never realized that the turtles were being protected so they wouldn’t walk to the hotel. I have seen the netting before. Good work.
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The state Wildlife Commission is trying to work with resorts to remove white outside lights during nesting season, to replace those with amber or red lights. It really is a problem for the turtles. Watchers are there to help guide them the right direction to the sea. If we bring flashlights, they are required to have red lenses.
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I’ve never gone sea turtle watching, even when I lived in FL. 😦
The shots are GORGEOUS! That beach is SO white! LOVE it!
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The sand is very fine, and very white… it looks and feels like sugar.
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Now you’re just making me jealous!
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