Today I got to experience what a full day behind a computer is like in paradise. Honestly, it was great! Although the deadline was stressful, being able to look out on the blue and green landscape and imagine being on the beach at night, made it all worthwhile.
We had three turtles on the beach. Kimron has the eyes of a leopard and can see amazingly well in the dark. He plays this game as we walk along in the darkness – “do you see a turtle?” Head turning and eyes straining up and down the beach, I analyze every bump, lump or shadow, but come up with nothing. And sometimes there is nothing – he’s just messing with me. I’ve been right probably twice. Once I was so sure it was a boat (after mentally noting where the few boats were on the sand) that I bet a beer with him, which I predictably lost because the turtle was of course just in front of the boat! It is incredible that even though the turtles are huge, they can still be hard to see from a distance. Once you’re close, there’s no missing either the tracks or the turtles.
Tonight, I feel almost like an old hand at this. It gave me a twinge thinking that this was my 3rd last night on the beach. It’s going to be difficult to leave. One turtle was 162 cm long! Wow. And she was breathing and grunting very loudly. Had I been an innocent sleeper on the beach who had never heard of a turtle, I probably would have had a minor heart attack if one lumbered up on me in the middle of the night!
Around 11 PM about 15 chatty locals came to see the turtles. This is getting more common as the season progresses. Luckily for them (and unluckily for the turtle) there was one (near the boat) that was just finishing up her sand-throwing nest disguise. They wanted to take photographs and Kimron very kindly but firmly explained that no flash could be used. They were determined and the conversation took a rather bizarre turn “what if I see a turtle before you all see a turtle, then its my turtle, and I can take photos if I want”, “I came all the way from the UK to see a turtle, I need a photo, man”. We held firm politely, but I can understand why there is a police detail later in the nesting season. The entire group then decided to come with us on our patrol (and find their own turtle). Mostly, they were young guys (swaggering and being cool), and gals (laughing and hanging on every word). They asked a lot of good questions and were genuinely interested, so I think it’s a good thing. It is far better to have people interested in having the turtles alive and thriving rather than lost forever.
We had three turtles on the beach. Kimron has the eyes of a leopard and can see amazingly well in the dark. He plays this game as we walk along in the darkness – “do you see a turtle?” Head turning and eyes straining up and down the beach, I analyze every bump, lump or shadow, but come up with nothing. And sometimes there is nothing – he’s just messing with me. I’ve been right probably twice. Once I was so sure it was a boat (after mentally noting where the few boats were on the sand) that I bet a beer with him, which I predictably lost because the turtle was of course just in front of the boat! It is incredible that even though the turtles are huge, they can still be hard to see from a distance. Once you’re close, there’s no missing either the tracks or the turtles.
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| Kimron counting eggs. I'm proud of my night photography! |
Around 11 PM about 15 chatty locals came to see the turtles. This is getting more common as the season progresses. Luckily for them (and unluckily for the turtle) there was one (near the boat) that was just finishing up her sand-throwing nest disguise. They wanted to take photographs and Kimron very kindly but firmly explained that no flash could be used. They were determined and the conversation took a rather bizarre turn “what if I see a turtle before you all see a turtle, then its my turtle, and I can take photos if I want”, “I came all the way from the UK to see a turtle, I need a photo, man”. We held firm politely, but I can understand why there is a police detail later in the nesting season. The entire group then decided to come with us on our patrol (and find their own turtle). Mostly, they were young guys (swaggering and being cool), and gals (laughing and hanging on every word). They asked a lot of good questions and were genuinely interested, so I think it’s a good thing. It is far better to have people interested in having the turtles alive and thriving rather than lost forever.
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