Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Jekyll Island is a state park and all animals on the island are protected. We are also fortunate enough to have a sea turtle facility that is being renovated as we speak. For the past 10 years I have gone out at night trying to get a peak at one of Jekyll's marvels. A Loggerhead laying her eggs.

Till last night I have only seen one laying and 2 hatchings and by chance I was able to touch a baby (I came across a nest that was being raided by Ghost Crabs, I was able to catch a crab right when it came out of the nest and rescue the baby). Last night about 30 yards from where I enter the beach I found the tracks of a Loggerhead but missed the entire process. Not be discouraged I decided to walk further south and low and behold found my second Loggerhead just starting to lay eggs. I sat near her and watched the best that I could, although the moon was out you could not really see her that well. After watching her reenter the ocean I decided to call it a night and headed back to the boardwalk and found another finishing up.

Three sea turtles coming up in one night is not a frequent thing especially that close to each other. Last year there was 114 nest found on the island. This year looks like it might be more promising.