Saga of N159; Going Going, ...

You may recall our excitement that N159 was laid on July 6th just after we left for a holiday in North Carolina and Virginia. So upon our return we found two nests out front of our condo - what a delight and so much excitement for mini me!

A combination of Spring Tides, made even higher by unusually big storms, destroyed one nest and created a wash over for the other - ut oh we thought, but still full of hope we began the countdown to hatching.

The CMA came to install the restraining cage over the nest at day 45. The cage prevents the hatchlings from walking into the artificial lights of our condo and street which would mean certain death.

So we watched and waited checking diligently each evening beginning from day 50 through the 'typical hatch window' to day 60. NOTHING!!

Tough job hey?!?

Some days the CMA sent nest sitters to watch over the nest from sunset to 1:00 am.  Other days we were alone in the vigil.

CMA still dropped by each day to close the restraining cage at sunset and open it at sunrise. Nothing.

At least in recent weeks the heron, and some American oyster catchers (shore bird) have graced our beach along with . . .

This heron has his eye on the fisherman's catch

Dolphins cruising for a snack just off-shore of our condo

Yes, the sun is that bright,
can you see the pelicans ?

pods of dolphins and pods of pelicans returning in abundance after a scarcity this summer. Maybe the recent drop in humidity has something to do with the wildlife returning? They provide much entertainment to divert our gaze from the static turtle nest.

About day 77 or 78, a ghost crab hole appeared near the nest under the restraining cage.  Had the crab eaten the eggs, made his home alongside the eggs or was he just a neighbour? Hard to tell, but one good sign:  no cracked-open eggs appeared - that would have been a sure sign he had a feast.

At long last day 80 (24 September) arrived and according to the FWC guidelines it was time to inventory the nest. Sure enough the eggs were found - and no the ghost crab had not invaded - he only took up neighborly residence. 124 eggs had been laid, but the high tides had drown them out early on and only a couple had even begun to develop -- so N159 was a total loss.

Swimmy (mini me's side-kick) took it especially hard.  Sad, but such are the ways of nature.

Swimmy I know they were your cousins,
but don't put your head in the sand!

Many nests were hit, but fortunately some survived and a few were laid after the  storms - so onward for the sea turtles who out-survived the dinosaurs!

All that's left are our footprints . . .

volunteer party cake

Here most likely endeth the turtle saga for the 2015 season.

End of season turtle party for volunteers is Saturday the 26th September.


There was a spot of blue crab fishing alongside our party (stick a piece of raw chicken on a string and throw into the lake and out comes a blue crab!).  They have green bodies and yup - BLUE legs.

Am off now for Aqua Zumba in a chilled swimming pool, yes you read that right - a chilled pool - best to stay in the cooler waters of the pool during the shark season of August and September.

A mystery that appeared one morning

Tonight mini me is off to a movie in the park shown on a blow-up movie screen; Sunshine State (2002, Angela Bassett) is the movie title.

There is always more on the beach - what do you think made this pile of sand .  . .?