DISCLAIMER: The work for protected Sea Turles is authorized by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission – PERMIT ST020232

We now go to the beach at dusk – joining other teams in helping where ever we can!

So goes our Senior living years!

Below is a beach sunset at Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. Warm – water is warm – crowds have gathered –

and we are assigned the edge of the water – keeping people informed and back from the trench!

The beachgoers line the ropes and peer up the trench – which was made for the baby turtles to make their way to the ocean – LOGERHEADS!

The nest was being opened after 75 days!

It was colder than usual in Spring and early Summer with lots of rain.

This formed a crust at the entrance to the nest making it hard for the little turtles to break through.

Being not hot also made the hatching go up to day number 75 which at that time the OIBSTPO is given permission by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission to “OPEN” the nest!

When this happens the team goes into training mode – each with duty and as in our case –

lend a hand and foot to help out!

They emerge from the nest and head for the Ocean – sound and sight guide them – the ocean WHITE CAPS – their instinct is to go toward the light!

The White Caps represent that.

Heading toward the ocean along the trench made just for the reason to get them to and into the surf!

Team members are there to guide them by placing a gloved hand down on the sand to direct them if they try to climb the edge and go in another direction.

If they flip over – do not help them – they are ingrained to right themselves.

Bright lights from outdoor lights can draw them to that direction so we ask that vacationers turn out the lights outside.

Most accommodate – as foxes wait in that direction.

Getting them to the water and into the surf is what volunteering is all about –

being educated along the way – three to four nights of information from the training leader.

Going down the trench – heading for the water – the crowd is now in the hundreds – lining the trench and

spread out along the beach –

we now have eight volunteers lateral along the dry sand spaced out to keep the people back and to keep everyone calm as the surf washes the babies back among their feet!

“FREEZE – DON’T MOVE we calmly say together!

We keep our eyes glued to the babies – and they make it into the water and ZOOM out to sea!

One more baby SEA TURTLE makes it thanks to volunteers – the satisfaction of being a help in the protection of an endangered species!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – WE HELP ANOTHER SEA TURTLE NEST TEAM ON OIB!