Nesting Green Turtle

[rwfarnell]

Green Turtle

Location: Melbourne Beach, Fl

I was able to spend a couple of days in an area that has one of the largest nesting beaches for sea turtles in the western hemisphere. So instead of spending the days on the beach, we slept because the action was at night. After sunset we would walk the beach and observe the turtles coming on to shore to lay their eggs.

We spotted this green Turtle about 4am and watch as she made her way up to the dunes where she dug her nest and laid her eggs. Once the turtles start to drop their eggs you can move closer because they are in a “zone” or “engaged” and will not stop till they are finished.
The turtle in these pictures is a green turtle. She is over 20 years old and weighs up to 350 pounds. The females will only come back to the same beach that they were born to lay new nest.

The quality of the pictures is not the best. I was using a high ISO because of the low light and we were lucky on the timing of this one as she finished up and headed back to the sea as the sun was coming up.

I do have more, but most are taken with red lights because white lights and flashes will scare the turtles off. If anyone is interested in seeing some of those pictures, please just say so and I will gladly post some.

It was an amazing experience for me and I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Rob

[MiniChris]

Us turtlers would have fully and immediately understood the last frame, but the second to last is quite special. I've ensured many a turtlette a safe journey to the water. I am hoping to shoot the little ones hatching and digging out later this summer. Good job for what you do in all aspects of documenting their travels and protection!

[Peter Ryan]

Very special Rob, thanks for sharing.

[rwfarnell]

Thanks Chris and Peter,
sadly, we missed seeing any young ones hatch, and they were hatching all around

[Seriche]

#3 and#4 are particularly beautiful and moving images. I love the way the sand-wake resembles the cloud patterns in #3.

We don't have turtles like that in my part of the world (but Chris, all hail to anyone who helps the turtlettes make it safely to the sea ).

Thanks so much for sharing those, Rob, but why not post the other photos too? I'm sure I'm not the only person who'd love to see them. It would be quicker than posting to people individually too.

I can imagine that you'll never forget that experience. It must be one of the best natural highs in the world

Cheers,

Seri

[KeithH]

A beautiful and evocative series Rob, thanks for letting us share your experience.

[Sahil]

Hello Rob,

A great set of beautiful pictures. #3 & #4 being my favourite. Yes, please post more pictures. Many of us would be interested.

[RockNGoalStar]

I had the opportunity to see some nesting turtles quite recently and they are fascinating creatures.

All your pictures are great but #3 and #4 are particularly special. Keep them coming!

[ktuli]

Rob,

No clue how I missed this thread till now! This is an awesome set. I can't even begin to pick a favorite.

I'm so used to seeing turtles underwater on dive trips. It is funny actually... I've been to Cozumel a couple times, and turtles were seen on pretty much every single dive I went on. Then when we were in Indonesia, we saw only one of two, and the dive masters were all excited because they're not as common, but our entire group was kind of unsurprised by them, and maybe even a little disinterested!

I'd love to get to see some nesting turtles some day. Till then, these beautiful shots will tide me over.

- Bill

[ilovelucydog]

Hi Rob! Those are amazing to look at, I can't imagine what it was like to actually be there! Thank you sharing them... they are really, quite special. I would, just like many others, love to see your other images. With images like these, the quality isn't the important part, the documentation of your experience and the journey of the turtles is what gets the attention and a person's heart.

[rwfarnell]

Thanks everyone! I'm at work now but will add more tonight or make a second post.

[FrankMi]

Hi Rob, this is a very interesting and informative documentary, culminating with a fantastic set of photos. Thank you so much for sharing these images!

[rwfarnell]

Second set of pictures:

These pictures were taken using red lights so that we would not scare or disturb the sea turtles.

[rwfarnell]

More of the early morning pictures. All of these pictures are of a Green Turtle.

[rwfarnell]

These last two were taken just outside our condo. You can see where the sea turtle came up one side of the chairs and laid her eggs behind the chairs, then went back to the water on the other side of the chairs.





Thanks for viewing
Rob

[Seriche]

Rob, what fabulous shots!

They're all great, especially of the one carrying sand on her back, but the red light images are particularly gorgeous and moving ones. Thank you so much for sharing those

Seri

[ilovelucydog]

Rob, they truly are amazing shots. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[RockNGoalStar]

What a great record of what looks to have been a wonderful experience!

[Sahil]

Wow! A real cool set of pics again, Rob. Thanks for sharing.