Tuesday 7/26. Nest 3 emerges

 Wonderful sight on beach at Nest 3 this morning.  Hatchling tracks all over.   Funny thing about this a Sherrie a new walker and I were talking about exciting part of patrolling is coming up - might see a live hatchling.  She asked if you can tell when a nest emerges.  I explained yes there  usually is a large crater and tracks coming from it.  Well not this morning, as you will see from pictures below there is absolutely no way to tell they emerged at the nest.  As a matter of fact we had a big crab hole and a lost egg  that we took care of at this nest.   Rachel had walked the short end and when she caught up with us asked if saw the emergence at Nest 3.  We thought she was crazy until she showed us the picture above.  She  said couldn't tell at the nest but tracks are over the beach farther down,

 

Nest 3 lost egg.

Better picture of Nest 3  As you can see all smooth.  Very soft blowing sand and we have had lots of wind

 Look closely you will see tracks.

  Nest 14 another pesky ghost crab hole,but no egg shells found.  We placed crab traps hoping to stop this.. We finished our walk then went back down to Nest 3.  Saw all the tracks and as we were checking them out  when Rachel yells baby turtle on its back.  Sure enough one lone baby in the hot sun  still alive.  Great job by Rachel spotting him!  Took him down to the wet sand and after awhile he perked up.  Let him walk a little into  the surf and off he went.

Sherrie and Rachel were so excited, first experience for them with a live hatching.  All I can say is it never gets old. Great morning!!

Photos by Rachel and Sharon