A few years ago, I spent some time in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This is an extremely busy area and no place for turtles due to the high volume of visiters:(
My family and I spent a wonderful evening wining and dining in the hub of FL. After dinner I wanted to walk the 2 miles back to our hotel along the beach, and no one wanted to join me. I was really delighted to have a quiet walk along the sea.
The beach was empty.....I couldn't believe it:-6Guess all the party goers were sleeping in anticipation of a later night, or they were already partying in the clubs...woohoooo......I had the beach to myself....
How lucky was I:DAs I was walking along the beach, I saw a big, moving lump towards the boardwalk. Naturally, I went to investigate...It might be an alien life form that I needed to speak with:yh_rotfl No fears on me, are there
As I walked up towards this creature, I realized that it was a loggerhead turtle. This creature was massive and beautiful. I looked around me, and realized that I was still alone....no one saw the turtle, and no one was around
The moon was full, and I could see every inch of this magnificent animal's body....plus I had a flashlight. She was absolutely beautiful. I named her Orla...Irish for 'beautiful princess'...
I couldn't take my eyes away from her....I spoke softly to her and rubbed her head and feet as she layed her eggs. I wanted to touch some part of her that she could feel.
Orla had already dug the large pit to lay her eggs, and she plopped the eggs down one by one....It took all night to plop the eggs
, I sat with her and held her flipper and sang some Irish song to her...she didn't seem to mind. Think I sang....dunno.....Hills of Donegal, Skye Boat and Destination Donegal....I even heard Aussie Pam cyber-harmonizing to my songs.. Pam has the voice of an angel and plays all sorts of instruments. Geeze.....Who wouldn't be happy with those songs:-4The poor dear finally finished her nesting and decided to return to the sea after spending tons of time pushing sand back onto the nest to bury it..I helped of course, but she wanted to make sure it was all done, and kept flipping sand over the nest;)
When Orla was finally done, she made her way back to the sea, and it took forever for the poor turtle to maneuver her way there.
I said goodbye to her and gave her a hug and kiss. She slowly made her way into the surf, and I cried to see her go.
I then called the township to secure her eggs and future loggerhead turtles. My family slept through the night and missed out on an opportunity of their life ***sigh***
But, I know I will see her again as I swim the seas with my turtle friends......
After all...I am the "Shell Seeker"
