nests

Papa’s World – Memories – pictures and good times.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Found this little gem on Facebook!

It is very informative,

and I wish I had seen it long ago.

If you do not play golf –

Most likely, you won’t be impressed.

But – being one who hits a good shot-

and then falls back into the abyss-

This shows me what I may be doing wrong!

Of course,

I printed it off and will use it the next time I golf!

MEMORIES – PICTURES and GOOD TIMES!

This is our friend Jim –

Whom we met as volunteers for the Protection for Sea Turtles –

On Ocean Isle Beach.

He lost his wife a few years ago –

And we get together every so often at Pelicans Perch-

A local bar and restaurant on OIB.

He also drinks Pabst Blue Ribbon –

as I did in WNY! LOL

This is his yard on OIB next to the canals.

A true friend and a good guy all around.

MEMORIES – PICTURES and GOOD TIMES!

A blanket and gift –

from our dear friends –

Claudia and Jim Martin.

They were our friends back in NVA-

They moved down near us a year ago –

after selling their home in Reston.

They had a new home built about four miles away –

And we get together –

Friendships are PRICELESS!

MEMORIES – PICTURES and GOOD TIMES!

The team from the Sea Turtle Protection –

We sat on this nest until it hatched,

and we made sure-

They all made it to the water.

This involves going to the nest by 7pm each night-

Until 11 pm. or later.

Most hatching occurs-

in that time frame.

On day 50 to 55 –

Those are the days after the nest is discovered by the group-

Who patrol the beach.

Then a team comes in and verifies –

and either moves it to protect from high tides –

Or leaves it where it is –

and erects the screens and fencing.

The nest is then given the number in which it was found.

Our job is to talk and interact with vacationers –

and people who live here.

We explain what we are doing –

and how we maintain the nests.

The nests are subject to be destroyed by people who

do not know or wild animals.

When they hatch –

We instruct people to stay behind the ropes and no lights-

As that distracts the little turtles and causes them to become blind.

Two days are spent after the nest hatches to see if any more are in there-

Then, an inventory is taken –

to see if it matches the number that made it to the water.

All eggs are counted,

and any that did not make it-

out of the nest.

This information is given to the governing body for wildlife

and is compiled yearly.

It shows the impact that we-

as volunteers make –

in protecting an endangered species.

This is done all up and down the East Coast.

We all then go onto other formed teams-

to the next available nest.

This continues to about mid-October –

And begins sometime in early July.

Most of the nests are laid early May to Mid June.

MEMORIES – PICTURES and GOOD TIMES!

Sherry and myself as OIBSTPO volunteers.

Welcome to my blog.

PAPA’S WORLD- My site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

MEMORIES – PICTURES and GOOD TIMES!

Papa’s World – Walking the beach looking for Turtle Crawls!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

We volunteer to try and save baby Sea Turtles –

on OIB, N.C.!

This entails early morning WALKING –

like at 5:45 am.!

We must be on the beach that early –

and walk the East end of OIB –

to see if there were any Sea Turtle Crawls overnight!

If you find such a crawl –

you immediately call the person in charge of the response team –

Who will come to the spot and find where the nest is.

They will determine at that time if the nest is okay to be left there –

or in danger of being flooded with “KING TIDES”!

These are exceptionally high tides –

and destroy the nests.

Then – our job is to continue the walk –

and see if any more TURTLE CRAWLS

have happened!

Looking in front of us to the far East end of OIB!

The Sun is rising and we walk toward it!

On this particular morning –

The forecast was calling for rain – thunder and lightning!

This is the view behind us from the West and the storm was approaching.

Sherry took this picture of me –

walking the dune line while she was closer to the surf.

We walk a wide area –

picking up trash as well as looking for crawls.

The storm was on its way –

and we wanted to be off the beach before it was upon us!

It took nearly one hour to walk –

and we made it back in time with our bags of garbage!

Papa and Sherry near the end of their walk –

two bags of garbage –

while it is seldom Sea Turtles come in on this section of beach –

It has happened.

Cleaning up the beach –

and walking almost two miles –

That was our mission that day –

and YES –

we did beat the storm as it opened up just as I started the car –

and headed home!

Turning 75 years old for both of us –

this type of volunteer work keeps us active!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD –

my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – A boy named HENRY!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

In my many nights of Turtle Nest sitting – I came to the conclusion that it is about much more than protecting Sea Turtles!

One week in particular – a young boy – 12 years old – would always seek me out when he came to the nest!

His name was Henry – and even though I might be on the opposite side of the nest – he made it a point of walking to the shoreline and then coming back up the rope to where I stood!

He would talk to me – ask me questions and ask if he could be an intern next year.

I gave him the information – and answered all that I could to his questions.

He reminded me so much of our grandson Bode –

he had that inquisitive nature.

He was polite – and after a while would say I have to go now – but I will be back again

and so he did – each day – searching until he found me.

I met his cousins and siblings – he would go into the water as I watched and body ride the waves.

Each day checking in to see if anything was happening to the baby turtle.

On his last night of vacation – he came up to me and said he would be leaving in the morning –

I said to him it was a pleasure meeting you and if I do not see him again – good luck and follow your dream of being an intern here at OIB.

He looked at me and said, “You won’t be here next year”?

I said I would be here and he said then “I WILL SEE YOU”!

Yes HENRY – I will look for you for this made my day – a young person looking up to me –

This is a bonus in NEST SITTING for me – A YOUNG BOY NAMED HENRY!

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

PAPA’S WORLD – A BOY NAMED HENRY! livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – We help another Turtle Nest team!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

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!

Papa’s World – Nest Sitting for SEA TURTLES!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Ocean Isle Beach – Disclaimer: The work for protected Sea Turtles by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Oermit ST020232.

We have joined not only the WALKING GROUP – but also the NEST PARENTS group starting on day 55 after the Sea Turtle has laid her eggs – of “Watching the nest ” until they have hatched.

This requires a team of 10 individuals to go through hands-on training while at the place nest for four hours in the early evening – each night until the Sea Turtles have hatched.

Hatching usually occurs between Day # 70 to Day # 75.

The team gathers as the Team Leader explains a phase of Sea Turtle Nesting – always reminding them that this is a public beach and part of the training is to educate people on just why we do this.

Everything you see in this picture has been installed by the Sea Turtle of OIB Protection volunteer organization.

At the beginning and end of each watch session – the volunteer team cleans and smoothes the trench from the nest to the water line.

Installing a rope barrier for crowd control and to make sure the baby turtles have a clear path to the water.

Team members place their chairs between the rope barrier and the trench to have easy access when the hatching begins.

Past history has been the babies will hatch after it cools down for the day and the sand is not so hot.

Those hours are generally 7Pm. to 11PM.

Team members interact with the spectators and encourage them to watch and ask questions.

There can be upwards of 200 to 300 people who stop by or bring their chairs to wait for the hatching!

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

PAPA’S WORLD – NEST SITTING FOR SEA TURTLES ON OIB, N.C.

Papa’s World – Turtle Nest – a place for social gatherings.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Disclaimer: The work for Protected Sea Turtles is authorized by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission – Permit: ST020232

The parents bring the children and the children bring their parents!

Nest sitting not only to keep a watch on the Sea Turtles hatching – but to share with the community

and teach what this whole process is all about – NEST PARENTS!

The team gathers while the team leader prepares the microphone buried in sand to “LISTEN”

to the baby turtles inside.

The crowds come each night – week to week different as the changeover occurs in rentals.

Each week starts over by teaching each group “WHY” we are here and how they can help.

People bring chairs – food and drinks and talk – to the team and amongst themselves.

Conversations with team members from Sunset Beach Turtle members – sharing information.

They are in blue shirts.

The female Sea Turtle does not start laying eggs until she is 25 years old – through DNA testing

done by cooperation between N.C. – S.C. – Ga. – and Northern Flordia –

they have traced a daughter – mother and grandmother Sea Turtle –

which places the grandmother Sea Turtle at more than 75 years old!

Welcome to OIB Sea Turtle Nest Sitting – a social event as well as teaching!

Thanks for reading Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa – observing the team members and the people of OIB – SEA TURTLE NESTING!

Papa’s World – SEA TURTLE NEST PROTECTION!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Disclaimer: The work for protected Sea Turtles is authorized by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission – PERMIT: ST200232

The Sea Turtles Protection on Ocean Isle Beach is a volunteer organization.

Many – many volunteers dedicated to the Sea Turtles hatching and as many as possible reaching the waters of the Ocean.

Also – to protect TURTLE NESTS along the beach from predators and educate the public on the survival of the Sea Turtles who come to the beach to lay their eggs.

Nesting is usually done overnight – leaving huge TURTLE CRAWL TRACTS on the beach – digging a hole and laying the eggs.

The SEA TURTLE ten covers the nest, slowly crawls back to the ocean – the mother never sees the little turtles – and can lay eggs several more times.

The beach is patrolled by an ATV every morning before 5:30 am. and Beach walkers at 6am.

Nests are called in and a response team comes and verify the nest and sets up protection and takes GPS coordinates.

Female Sea Turtles only start producing eggs at the age of 25 years old –

Through DNA testing of eggs – they can be tracked all up and down the coast of N.C. – S.C. – Ga. –

and the Northern part of Florida.

They have the DNA of a daughter Turtle – its mother and its grandmother which would be at least 75 years old!

The Sea Turtles return to lay eggs all up and down the coast and sometimes come back to the same beach.

Thanks for reading and here are some pictures of the preparation to protect the nests.

Here the nest has been prepped for protection – the mesh rolled back to bury a microphone to listen to the babies moving around in the nest.

The sounds they make are then compared to several recorded sounds on an app on the leader’s phone.

You then compare the sounds to the app to try and pinpoint how many days are left before they hatch.

The team comes each night at 7PM. and sits for four hours – they will do this each night until the nest hatches.

Past data collected shows that the nest will hatch within this time frame but it can occur outside of this,

these are dedicated volunteers – it could stretch into weeks of watching and waiting!

Installing the microphone by burying it next to the nest at the same depth – it records people 50 to 75 feet away talking and moving about.

This is put down to keep foxes out of the nest – when they hatch this will be moved out of the way.

Team members listening to the sounds from the nest Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD –

livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’S WORLD – SEA TURTLE NEST PROTECTION – ON OCEAN ISLE BEACH

Papa’s World – Eagle in the neighborhood – Sunrise on our Turtle Watch on the OIB!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Good day everyone – in late afternoon after being out and about – a neighbor posted she had an Eagle sitting up in a dead tree just up the street!

So we drove past our home and went to the end of the street and sure enough – the EAGLE was there!

We have seen Eagles here and in the surrounding areas since moving here.

What a magnificent bird!

This is one I can tell – it was only a few days ago! LOL

We have signed up for TURTLE WATCH BEACH PATROL!

We are on the beach by 6:00 AM.

We have an area a little over one mile one way in an East Direction and have to look for Turtle tracks or crawl!

We have instructions and numbers to call and we also watch for beach erosion and record and take pictures of it and let them know right away.

Sherry and another walker – we have orange shirts with Turtle Patrol on them to identify who we are – along with a parking pass in case our car is checked by the police.

We can not park illegally and must obey all laws.

Notice the bag – we also collect garbage and trash on the beach.

First light on the East End of OIB in N.C. A pod of Dolphins followed along the coast as we walked!

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

SUNRISE ON OIB EAST END – WALKING THE BEACH ON TURTLE WATCH PATROL! PAPA’S WORLD!