I can remember the smell of the ocean, the briny smell coming off the shore. There was a lot of seaweed on the beach with very few shells. We began our walk talking about the day and the latest news on the Democratic Convention in Denver. We had heard Michelle Obama the night before and this evening Hillary was going to ask her delegates to throw their support to Obama to unify the Democratic party and leave the bitterness of her loss for the greater good.
We always checked out the turtle nests and knew that any day now the hatchlings would be marching to the water en masse. Usually they would hatch at night and we thought our chances of ever seeing any was remote.
While we chatted, I looked back and saw a young couple with a little child looking intently at one of the nests. It was about 7 p.m. and there was plenty of light.
I got nervous.
“I hope they’re not doing anything to the nest,” I said.
“Don’t be silly. They look like they know what they’re doing. Maybe they work for the sea turtle patrol group that check out the nests.”
“A little kid! No way!”
“Don’t worry about it. The turtles will be fine.”
We continued to walk as the sun started to set in the distance. The sky turned peach colored with beautiful grey clouds with a perfect periwinkle blue background. I was sorry I hadn’t brought my cell or a camera to catch the scene.
I kept looking back and by then the couple were crouching near the nest.
“I’m really worried, honey. Please listen to me. I want to go back near the nest.”
“A few more feet and we’ll turn around,” he demanded.
We always walk for at least an hour and the length of the strip of beach we traverse is about 3 or 4 blocks.
I walked faster and we turned around. As we headed toward the nest, I started to pick up my pace even more.
My heart was beating in my chest.
As we approached the nesting area, we suddenly saw about 40 little baby turtles making their way to the ocean over the seaweed bordering the beach.
It was the most amazing site! They were a blue grey color and had their little legs working so hard to make it to the water. Once they reached the ocean, they swam away as fast as their little legs could take them. They dove under the waves and swam away, their little noses sticking out of the water when a wave caught them. And then they were gone.
We watched them for about a ½ hour and helped about 3 or 4 who were disoriented and heading the wrong way. It was wonderful to hold one gently by the shell. Their legs never stopped moving and their little eyes were so cute.
It was such an amazing experience. And the fact that we were there just when this happened, a gift from God.
Usually they hatch at night, and we were so convinced we’d never have the chance to see them, because we never walked in the late evening or in the middle of the night.
We lucked out! Just like the scenery, seeing the baby turtles run made me feel so good about having moved to Florida. Nature here is as bright as the sky. Colors pop and the ocean and palm trees are brilliant.
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