February 4, 2016: Morning Walk

Every morning before dawn a biologist and two volunteers sweep the beach from one end to the other to find out if any turtles came in after the middle-of-the-night patrols have gone to bed.

We start at 5:30 AM, just as it’s starting to get light.

The Moon and Venus above Playa Grande
The Moon and Venus above Playa Grande

A giant leatherback turtle had come in and evidently did a couple of 360 degree loops on her way to her nesting spot.

Leatherback turtle loops in the sand
Leatherback turtle loops in the sand

She laid 68 eggs before returning.

This photo shows how wide leatherback turtles are
This photo shows how wide leatherback turtles are

I missed all that, but saw the tracks in the early morning light

A ghost crab
A ghost crab
Sunrise at Playa Grande
Sunrise at Playa Grande

Tonight I will be back on North Beach.

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