Turtles Hatch and Small Creepy Crawlies

Now before we get to those turtles, here is a daily sight - an anole.

Anoles run about everywhere and are similar to Geckos, except they have less ability to climb vertically on totally smooth surfaces.

anole underbelly on glass at night

Ever wonder about the Gecko?  Well, scientists have found it is the hair on their feet that they control to move up and down walls using intermolecular force.  Who knew?  They are fun, harmless creatures.
The Cicadas, however, are noisy creatures making a racket from the trees everywhere you go.
So are you wondering about mini me's turtle nest? 

Well, sadly given our renovation dilemmas, we were out at a hotel night of 1st September (Labor Day) when 85 of the 89 ping pong ball sized eggs in the nest hatched.  Of the 85 eggs, 76 hatchlings made it to the ocean meaning a number died in the nest (no piped eggs). 

How do we know?  CMA does a nest inventory about 5 days post hatching and we caught him in the act.

Photo: Barbara J. Bergwerf

Our consultation is that our neighbour, who also watched the nest with binoculars, missed the hatching too.  There is one more nest nearby which should hatch shortly and then it is a wait until next year.  In the meantime life sized me lobbied the new local hardware store to carry turtle friendly (LED red/amber) exterior lights.  A bulb costs $35!  Must love those turtles.
Photo: Barbara J. Bergwerf