Salty

The waves continued to hit the beach pretty hard last night. I was blocked from most of the beach during a few hours around high tide. I did find a leatherback though! She was nesting at around 1am near the Seminole Golf Course. I was suprised to see her as the water was up in the dunes at that point. I guess she had to drop some eggs and she was determined to find some dry sand. She nested in the sea oats and her nest was already washed over this morning. I named her "salty" because of the heavy, wet, salty air we have been having over the last few days. I guess I am only going to be using descriptive names for turtles this season....

On my morning pass I found a leatherback nest on the north end of the survey area. I was really not that suprised to find it as we were unable to get up that way most of the night. I was suprised at the location though. She nested in the Sea Grapes! I am not sure if I would have even seen her if I drove past her while nesting. Her nest was quite far into the dune vegetation.
The waves are beginning to calm down now and I expect we will have a few turtles tonight!