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Turtle Patrol 2006 : Loggerhead Turtles are a threatened species and are watched and studied daily by the coastal Wildlife Conservation. I am supporting this division with my time and effort and find this extremely interesting and educational. Off the beaten path of our turtle patrol on Casperson Beach, in a secluded inlet, we discovered 15 large robust Manatees that were huddled together on a sandbar in the middle of this body of water. Since they are a threatened species we were very much concerned because it appeared that one in particular was resting there with no movement while the others were busy nudging and caressing her with great concern. Dorita, a veteran of endangered/threatened species projects, wasted no time in calling for support on handling this sad appearing situation. We were all worried about the red tide causing this unusual sight here because it has been known to kill, not only fish but large mammals as well. Dorita offered to wade into the water to get a closer inspection of that silent body laying there. It was difficult assessing the situation with so many manatees around her. We hiked through brush and mud and sticks to get to the opening and then we waded out into an experiance we won't forget. I did not intend to miss this adventure so with camera in hand I waded into the water behind her. There we were with these huge ton sized mammals swimming all around us in such a gentle manner. We were thrilled to be here with them and we were close enough to even touch them and what upset me the most was the scarring left on their backs from all the boats that have traveled over them and injured them. How did they survive all the cuts that were disfiguring them? How many didn't survive? As we waded our way closer they all flapped their flippers and showed some action and curiousity swimming around us and looking at us as being only a nuiscence left us to find another area on the other side of the inlet. What made our day, during those last moments the silent one was no longer there. According to the biologist, during mating season they often find higher ground for much needed rest. Mother nature had provided this sandbar for her long enough to give her energy to move on with her journey. With that in our relieved minds, it was back to our LOGGERHEAD TURTLE HATCHINGS that were and are equally important to us.

Turtle Patrol 2006

Fish :

Fish

Updated: Jan 28, 2008 10:50am PST