tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7264024419759132952024-03-13T23:49:12.302-04:00Marla's Sea Turtle TrackerMarlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-75295415319735430802011-07-05T11:00:00.000-04:002011-07-05T11:00:56.714-04:00The Waiting RoomNorth Myrtle Beach Sea Turtle Patrol has been waiting...and waiting. Our first nest is 53 days old and showing signs that it could be any night now. Usually nests don't hatch until day 55 through 60, but the weather has been unusually hot and dry. Those are two conditions that can speed up the process.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-npOBMUrJ8FbyYZvz0oMH6Y_QB_JyxdgvuApdm2lA4WGac7dXDb2imIWya4gDdsQdodoi6sZ08YhxflBSjfRkX7UKm-dfEJQPGXF8mkWoAAdF1a9qFj0KTuMKHRsZ47DdP-5g7JHNdw/s1600/Still0705_00000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-npOBMUrJ8FbyYZvz0oMH6Y_QB_JyxdgvuApdm2lA4WGac7dXDb2imIWya4gDdsQdodoi6sZ08YhxflBSjfRkX7UKm-dfEJQPGXF8mkWoAAdF1a9qFj0KTuMKHRsZ47DdP-5g7JHNdw/s320/Still0705_00000.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
We started watching the nest closely Sunday, July 3rd, after a crack started to form around the nest cavity. We could hear some activity through a listening device under the sand, but nothing happen. <br />
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Then we started worrying and planning...What if they emerged 4th of July! When the beach was packed, noisy and fully of flashlights! It could be a disaster. But we got lucky. For once, I was happy they didn't emerge. <br />
So now we continue to watch and wait. The crack around the cavity is getting bigger and there is a more defined depression. Like a nervous dad in the waiting room, I'll be at the nest tonight hoping for the best. If you come to visit the nest, please remember to give us our space. We are using very sensitive listening devices that pick up every footstep and voice. Please remember to keep flashlights and flash photography away from the nest too. If you do have a flashlight, make sure it has a red cover on it. <br />
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</div>Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-64234100644313105742011-05-10T12:01:00.000-04:002011-05-10T12:01:28.288-04:00This Just In!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XWQjXc6A-Jf40EL2gBFz2a3MhaLfTZNl8D9DUngkSKM9bVZD6OIqdhxWuN8cQV7z32S7IbW6JpLAIhDHNppN586tjboDpXQeV5BV2qtXOcAGIGdW8PdDeLLNyVjdiDJopfokURZ5F98/s1600/false+crawl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6XWQjXc6A-Jf40EL2gBFz2a3MhaLfTZNl8D9DUngkSKM9bVZD6OIqdhxWuN8cQV7z32S7IbW6JpLAIhDHNppN586tjboDpXQeV5BV2qtXOcAGIGdW8PdDeLLNyVjdiDJopfokURZ5F98/s1600/false+crawl.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">False Crawl picture from last year</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In my previous post, I mentioned the nest are getting closer and closer...well I just found out that a false crawl was reported on Waities Island! This is the earliest reported false crawl in the island since they started patroling it in 2006. A false crawl is when a sea turtle comes on the beach to nest, but for one reason or another decides the spot isn't just right and she goes back to the water. She may very well return tonight and nest or choose another nearby beach. I'll talk more about false crawls a little later in the season, but this is a very good sign! <br />
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Here we go NMB Sea Turtle Patrol! I've got the turtle phone by my side every morning waiting for a phone call haha.Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-4115968568728563472011-05-10T10:06:00.001-04:002011-05-10T11:53:25.812-04:00They're Getting Closer14 nests so far in South Carolina...and every nest is getting closer and closer to the Grand Strand. Of course there is no real way of predicting when the turtles will start nesting on our beaches, they don't necessarily move further north with every nest. But I would LOVE to have a nest on North Myrtle Beach before the end of May. Last year's first nest was around this time, the timing was perfect!<br />
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Our water temperature <em>just </em>made it to the 70 degree mark and I think loggerheads need at least 68º water. We need some nice warm sunny days to get the temps up just a little bit more I think.Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-41331393909460051332011-05-08T09:39:00.002-04:002011-05-09T15:22:38.039-04:00Arrrr! Pirate's Farewell<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Saturday, Pirate said bon voyage to the South Carolina Sea Turtle Hospital. After spending almost two years in the hospital, he is finally well enough to be released. I wanted to go to the release, but I didn't get away from work in time. Pirate has had a very long and expensive stay at the hospital. The video below explains why pirate landed in the hospital and his struggle over the past 18 months.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw9jb2_8ycdjazOBgnmPnrp_uftUg86Q1qJpVwCB1TrwBJXbbeTUCCxJ-BRGqauIGD2VG7vlMAkHx18KkKbGg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-75629481606468605152011-05-04T10:07:00.000-04:002011-05-04T10:07:48.833-04:00Here We Go Again!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Let's hope that this year is as magical as last year! I'm doing the series again on WMBF news, and this year it's going to be even bigger and better! I'm lucky enough that a very talented news photographer is also my fiancè, and he's just as passionate about sea turtles as I am! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We've already had a great interview with Ann Willson from Myrtle Beach State Park. She gave some great insight on everything from the DNA study to the sea turtle nesting forecast for this year. I'll have bits and pieces of her interview sprinkled throughout the series.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYREqcjk35_Auwyx_FWB5VYloD5uuORAlK4iRNbEf8uNwmQyRZ5Dzh2us7bkti5OA4W2ur8iX5_45wRk7O8gq4PskZERXEAAU0UbcCHIInapdfRbg6mMMD3BC7Ile3A1SCaAED0OTd7Y/s1600/Pirate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYREqcjk35_Auwyx_FWB5VYloD5uuORAlK4iRNbEf8uNwmQyRZ5Dzh2us7bkti5OA4W2ur8iX5_45wRk7O8gq4PskZERXEAAU0UbcCHIInapdfRbg6mMMD3BC7Ile3A1SCaAED0OTd7Y/s320/Pirate.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pirate waiting on food</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The highlight of my journey so far this season is getting to visit the Sea Turtle Hospital in Charleston, SC. I had a chance to see Pirate and Little Debbie, both Grand Strand sea turtles, as well as all the behind the scenes activities. The best news of all is Pirate and Little Debbie are getting to go back home...to the ocean! Pirate has had a long stay at the hospital and a very hard road to recovery, but now is doing good.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The hospital is also getting ready for a HUGE release (Pirate and 5 other turtles) this weekend at Isle of Palms. Look for a shot of Pirate swimming out to the open sea this Sunday evening on WMBF News at 6.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-68130328790403598782010-07-22T03:15:00.000-04:002010-07-22T03:15:53.257-04:00They're Here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWHnr9bFaeSGeAKYnqcYeljfWfNFIWzhz63_ZKBUd0UNrco29WAMAuV-qqEnCzuOLkJlC33WCk6RaGkDKdDF6s0-hx3TogGcRan8bw9tVwbgZZ1sktycjsDXU_KFrJywj3hgC9Rdve6s/s1600/BestFriends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWHnr9bFaeSGeAKYnqcYeljfWfNFIWzhz63_ZKBUd0UNrco29WAMAuV-qqEnCzuOLkJlC33WCk6RaGkDKdDF6s0-hx3TogGcRan8bw9tVwbgZZ1sktycjsDXU_KFrJywj3hgC9Rdve6s/s320/BestFriends.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>After waiting ALL night Tuesday night, the cute little critters decided Wednesday would be the perfect night to make their appearance.<br />
They didn't waste any time. When I got to the nest at 8pm it hadn't changed at all since Tuesday. I even doubted if it was going to happen. We couldn't hear a thing on the microphone because of the wind and Linda was checking the nest every 30 minutes or so.<br />
The crowd of people passing by started to grow and all of a sudden I hear Linda quietly call my name. I<br />
look over and there is a tiny depression. I had just set all of my camera equipment up and put all of the sand and moisture barriers on it (bags and sacks and rain gear). So I start taking all the bags off and I look over and the hole is already bigger.<br />
A hand full of them emerged before I could even call Michael and get the rest of the gear set up. ...and the crowd was growing. I filmed the first little guy that emerged walk all the way to the ocean.<br />
Just as I was finally getting the rest of the gear ready to go the big show started! They call it a boil for a reason! All the tiny sea turtles started crawling over each other and just pouring out of the nest! It was amazing. then as they followed the moon to the water they would spread out. It was a challenge to manage a crowd of people and tons of baby turtles walking in the dark to the water, but every single one of them made it. It was an experience of a lifetime! Thanks to everyone that helped me along the way. More pictures and video on the way! Be sure to watch WMBF News at 6 on Sunday for the full story. CONGRATULATIONS NORTH MYRTLE BEACH SEA TURTLE PATROL! Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-50427264186270218952010-07-20T18:04:00.000-04:002010-07-20T18:04:58.934-04:00The Final Count Down!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Stay tuned for pics of the hatch! It could happen any night now...Kudos to the S.C.U.T.E volunteers that have been camping out at the nests all night for the past week or so. If you happen to stumble up on us at the nest, please remember a few things:</div>*No flashlights or flash photography. Turtles are drawn to the light and can become disoriented. Even light colored clothing can get them off course. Just think, in a totally natural habitat, the ocean would reflect the moon and be the brightest source around. <br />
*Please stay back if a volunteer asks you to. Even if the turtles haven't hatched yet. We have a microphone buried underground and it is very sensitive. We can hear when people walk and talk near the nest. <br />
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</div>Here are a few things we are watching for and more information about this cool microphone. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyQXKeYljZOHedjvUeA05OIAS3Jv63gtr4wFl-Z2V9BaMUGesHRgzgpznw9U-9C9jzGC0J9sKHEz6FYo9Jjzw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-85903441103253141382010-07-19T18:30:00.001-04:002010-07-19T18:31:25.416-04:00Going Green!While being green (the eco-friendly kind) is cool, seeing green is even better! Surfside Police were seeing green...a green sea turtle crawl...Saturday morning.<br />
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Surfside police called Ann Wilson, Interpretive Director and local sea turtle expert with MB State Park, and told her they found a turtle crawl. Ann and her coworker Katie went to check it out. They could tell right away that this wasn't the usual loggerhead crawl. They started probing and quickly found 143 eggs about 14 inches deep. The nest was relocated to the State Park for safe keeping and monitoring. If they are right about it being a green sea turtle we will get the have a Green Sea Turtle inventory in September! VERY COOL!<br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Nat Geo Pic of The Day</span></strong></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDJIFNP3KZZRwvJ9hSZW0yUFP7gfgmu_iKB-a-LHZoCyumT-379AbUVVz4aeXCPqn_WlqACrj67zbvAqr049R1fIT5-JG6hS46unBSBcRUvDS5O3-2vaT6xAp8EoPLzfmn7bHRT2oDZw/s1600/green-sea-turtles-149201-lw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDJIFNP3KZZRwvJ9hSZW0yUFP7gfgmu_iKB-a-LHZoCyumT-379AbUVVz4aeXCPqn_WlqACrj67zbvAqr049R1fIT5-JG6hS46unBSBcRUvDS5O3-2vaT6xAp8EoPLzfmn7bHRT2oDZw/s320/green-sea-turtles-149201-lw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMmb06nit14sREKwOW3mIEsCUqMNIgG0zpqJvSe7fd04FksrXPCLk0zllqwOzNnWynqtxloPfyzLoiTaL5ZAzugXkhuBjVNZq-08JZlDcte3HtnpcvkpiLIK5atk4nf8wok26NwUycN8/s1600/greenturtlecrawl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMmb06nit14sREKwOW3mIEsCUqMNIgG0zpqJvSe7fd04FksrXPCLk0zllqwOzNnWynqtxloPfyzLoiTaL5ZAzugXkhuBjVNZq-08JZlDcte3HtnpcvkpiLIK5atk4nf8wok26NwUycN8/s320/greenturtlecrawl.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Green sea turtle tracks can be distinguished from those of loggerheads by the simultaneous flipper marks and a tail mark down the center of the track. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Green sea turtles usually nest in the Florida Keys, Costa Rica, and other tropical and subtropical spots in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. But occasionally these herbivores will nest on our beaches. They are about 3 feet and weigh in at 300 pounds. </div><br />
</div>Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-52772136338016426802010-07-13T10:36:00.000-04:002010-07-13T10:36:01.046-04:00North Myrtle Beach S.C.U.T.E reported thier 8th sea turtle nest of the season yesterday morning! Way to go NMB!!<br />
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On a sad note...<br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A 300lbs loggerhead sea turtle died during transport. He was found at Huntington Beach State Park. There was no sign of injury and illness. SCDNR will do a necropsy to determine the cause of death.</div>Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-32813412648673891752010-07-10T09:18:00.000-04:002010-07-10T09:18:08.291-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfdOBK_Ybn9p9IU9zEFKkmHgXz9Aub71pT2fdB2TPSMPFmAjHSlBK7-uuOPs-LIYNVCVqcW7on3Cn9rPuRyBMZtty3If34_aYAhKtPokHUD9bM5cF4qLabolvBhZipp2DkzjLnowTlAk/s1600/KEMP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfdOBK_Ybn9p9IU9zEFKkmHgXz9Aub71pT2fdB2TPSMPFmAjHSlBK7-uuOPs-LIYNVCVqcW7on3Cn9rPuRyBMZtty3If34_aYAhKtPokHUD9bM5cF4qLabolvBhZipp2DkzjLnowTlAk/s320/KEMP.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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A Kemp's Ridley sea turtle spotted off of our beaches! <em>If</em> a kemp were to nest on our beaches, it would be during the day and only leave a light crawl.Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-35085485796851442152010-07-05T11:46:00.001-04:002010-07-05T11:46:42.566-04:00Business Time!This is going to be a busy month! The first of the four North Myrtle Beach nests should hatch around July 16th and then we will continue to have emergences almost every week. I'm going to try to capture the emergence (hatch) on film using a night vision camera. Here are some fun pictures of the journy so far.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOECWHK43h75aXb6ZAGd8S_1iPHz8pI6YT954e7UFhPL7xcX0Ly1GEQnLYkWtunFEdOV2YY4DjrdkoNhgqmuLl2R0iJTbX0EW9HmYhUxzuGSt9YjpKA8ZCbrWnz8-Jpbbhp1BhgcqofEI/s1600/Turtle3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOECWHK43h75aXb6ZAGd8S_1iPHz8pI6YT954e7UFhPL7xcX0Ly1GEQnLYkWtunFEdOV2YY4DjrdkoNhgqmuLl2R0iJTbX0EW9HmYhUxzuGSt9YjpKA8ZCbrWnz8-Jpbbhp1BhgcqofEI/s320/Turtle3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>I'm probing for eggs. It ended up being a false crawl but that was an exciting morning. We had already had one successful nest.</em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em></em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><em>Nothing beats getting to see a crawl. The sun is coming up, the breeze feels great, and the beach is beautiful!</em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1TD6QBWUvnBbT2uADn30ceaxKKGC5UzCq5UITquihdrokdPTgcnoUGW6HqUw1jd81hEcoZeflwgL3LnOVgmLDUIgmROgOvzGMGbEblY8fKrTJcikqTK2HnkIXOYgFQb2cEYRsswTwxs/s1600/turtle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1TD6QBWUvnBbT2uADn30ceaxKKGC5UzCq5UITquihdrokdPTgcnoUGW6HqUw1jd81hEcoZeflwgL3LnOVgmLDUIgmROgOvzGMGbEblY8fKrTJcikqTK2HnkIXOYgFQb2cEYRsswTwxs/s320/turtle2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-18612174106564675812010-07-05T11:33:00.001-04:002010-07-05T11:34:23.666-04:00MyrtleMyrtle, a precious Kemp that has been at the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston for the past 2 years or so died Tuesday, June 22nd. She was found in Myrtle Beach after suffering a severe boat strike. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnfxAKKD2Mo1Whmj8gk9rJX84UA31aIEvYd_Glnovj6aTTCVeNeGbmSrZgX0e06aAvkOiZGLBsU8p5XIvA6okhsRAxJW63bMrNtXUCgcBli1Mk2VuKJmOHQmakjG5vVqyFyVVsIdfkNk/s1600/Myrtle" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnfxAKKD2Mo1Whmj8gk9rJX84UA31aIEvYd_Glnovj6aTTCVeNeGbmSrZgX0e06aAvkOiZGLBsU8p5XIvA6okhsRAxJW63bMrNtXUCgcBli1Mk2VuKJmOHQmakjG5vVqyFyVVsIdfkNk/s320/Myrtle" width="320" /></a></div>Kemp's Ridley sea turtles are the most endangered of all the sea turtles...it is a rare treat to have a female nest on our coastline.Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-78268764444256668732010-07-05T11:11:00.000-04:002010-07-05T11:11:09.271-04:00Timid TurtlesWe have had zero turtle activity this past week, but really that is no surprise. Last year we didn't see any activity the week of the 4th of July either. The main reason is because of fireworks. The bright lights, loud noises and crowds on the beach can make a sea turtle think twice about nesting. <br />
I know that fireworks are just a part of the 4th of July, and I admit I love them too. But the important thing is to pick up all of the litter left behind. Also, try to avoid bottle rockets because you can't retrieve the stick after it is fired. <br />
The next few nights I know people will probably be on the beaches a little later than usual. If you are lucky enough to spot a nesting turtle, remember that bothering her or her nest could result in a heafty fine. Don't use flash photography or try to go up and touch her.<br />
Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-23741768763870629542010-06-02T21:31:00.001-04:002010-07-20T17:55:17.485-04:00Baby Pictures<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here are some pictures of the second nest in North Myrtle Beach.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>This is the crawl that gave clues to where to look for the nest.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZ3GsR148W4dycyRn4VRHb-YeivoQf8duX3387YaRAER8TUe7YxQTUxKUOdxn-SqcORThU2r0kIpAqm5-DTFbGMSovpd7u68OdiXj7a0-W4SqIprzMoh6qtRUglQhwIg6W0A3rr66xgs/s1600/TurtleCrawl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZ3GsR148W4dycyRn4VRHb-YeivoQf8duX3387YaRAER8TUe7YxQTUxKUOdxn-SqcORThU2r0kIpAqm5-DTFbGMSovpd7u68OdiXj7a0-W4SqIprzMoh6qtRUglQhwIg6W0A3rr66xgs/s320/TurtleCrawl.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Sea Turtle Patrol probed the nest looking for eggs.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2LnrxT_PZ0H8X66N6FNr1VcfHmkbFRDnqB0PnAYdIMTtfn-RTqdvqONQrjHbc21aJ0Y8OcZhfQNAiqvn1B4kV7dgW1MS51UfUOjjZNgsSalZPx04DkAEsM7oa4rGVTmKcWuOQzzS3sA/s1600/ProbingForEggs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2LnrxT_PZ0H8X66N6FNr1VcfHmkbFRDnqB0PnAYdIMTtfn-RTqdvqONQrjHbc21aJ0Y8OcZhfQNAiqvn1B4kV7dgW1MS51UfUOjjZNgsSalZPx04DkAEsM7oa4rGVTmKcWuOQzzS3sA/s320/ProbingForEggs.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Found 'em!!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuewut8zalKNSI4aHUbW3NYSypopESXwoFwk5eMTQh-1dTDfXQSX6F5KotY0xMDlVhWgu0ww02JRMhd6SRi6kcZfEAeMJRU0DoEifKcm8_zoTZoAGu38iL3aCfmgCiGsZN0TSkpD-VfP8/s1600/TurtleEggs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuewut8zalKNSI4aHUbW3NYSypopESXwoFwk5eMTQh-1dTDfXQSX6F5KotY0xMDlVhWgu0ww02JRMhd6SRi6kcZfEAeMJRU0DoEifKcm8_zoTZoAGu38iL3aCfmgCiGsZN0TSkpD-VfP8/s320/TurtleEggs.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Now we have to keep them safe. Remember poaching or disturbing a nest can result in a Federal fine of $100,000 and one year in jail.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilwQ4zVz9Eq290PP1a8zXLAR99qnXtQ9qEFMj7K2WBd_jdWNmusBsiibBk79H8bIGmGZwHIsDs9YWfqJcZfCv0_AlEF7csJ6P8emDTVWlmZrIl91w41wkKla3yoRnY8EeaXkPek2ke0g/s1600/TurtleTape.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilwQ4zVz9Eq290PP1a8zXLAR99qnXtQ9qEFMj7K2WBd_jdWNmusBsiibBk79H8bIGmGZwHIsDs9YWfqJcZfCv0_AlEF7csJ6P8emDTVWlmZrIl91w41wkKla3yoRnY8EeaXkPek2ke0g/s400/TurtleTape.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-88514006564475452762010-06-01T17:35:00.000-04:002010-06-01T17:35:28.121-04:00Hoooray!Another nest was reported in North Myrtle Beach this morning by a sanitation worker. S.C.U.T.E is monitoring the nest now and I will be working with them to track the progress of the this nest in particular. But that's not it! A false crawl was also reported. This means we could see ANOTHER nest in North Myrtle Beach in the next day or so.<br />
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Why a false crawl? If a turtle comes on shore to nest but doesn't feel comfortable she will retreat back to the water and try again the next night/early morning. Now that nesting season is getting underway keep in mind a few things that can make a momma feel nervous: bright lights, lots of activity from people or animals, noisy, and camera flashes. So try to keep outside lights to a minimum and if you put a piece of red cloth over your flashlight it won't frighten the turtle too much.<br />
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I'll have more tips and info as well as some video of the nest on WMBF News this Sunday night.Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-44330696096552753162010-05-31T16:36:00.000-04:002010-05-31T16:36:27.171-04:00Nest NewsIt is just the beginning of the season and so far state wide we are off to a good start. There are 321 loggerhead nests and 1 leather back nest. I'm pretty excited about the leatherback nest. A leatherback is by far the biggest turtle we can expect to see in our parts weighing in at well over 2000 pounds! And get this, they mainly eat jelly fish! <br />
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In Horry county we are checking in at two nests so far. One is in North Myrtle Beach and the other one is in Pawley's Island. If you run across something that looks like a turtle crawl or a nest, be sure to call Myrtle Beach or Huntington State Park and report the nest and location.<br />
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The best site I've found for nest information from DNR is <a href="http://www.seaturtle.org/">http://www.seaturtle.org/</a>. They have a list of South Carolina Beaches and a ton of nesting info.Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-58808082806013006182010-05-27T10:29:00.000-04:002010-05-27T10:29:36.198-04:00The First Family!There are so many local families that volunteer to patrol for sea turtle activity! And let me tell you, they are dedicated. These families wake up BEFORE sunrise to walk the beaches. But they say it is so rewarding. They have grown closer together as a family, and the kidos get a biology class every time they patrol. I'm featuring one family that started it all!<br />
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They were the first <i>family</i> to volunteer for Myrtle Beach State Park and through their dedication, they have inspired other families to follow suit. I can't wait to share their story with you! Catch their story on WMBF News at 6 this Sunday night. And if it gives you the itch to get involved, I'll tell you how you can start tracking turtles this summer!Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-27808750797641733452010-05-23T09:05:00.000-04:002010-05-23T09:05:21.857-04:00Time Will Tell... So I'm talking to Ann from Myrtle Beach State Park and she is giving me a rundown of all the species I can expect to see here in Horry county. I must say, we have a pretty good variety of turtles here. Kemps, loggerheads, and leather backs top her list. I don't have a favorite yet, but I couldn't believe how big these turtles get! It is truly amazing!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgzDtMHuu-AuLWtT1Ur-zQzffuAvfxgDtsdglzMy764cy5OTV3KtmIWN6bGHDA0T-7PuMvHYkKtREIm9SZAazHSux1UoTvGSpIqSYif26vDioFX6Uh-DQE-4i8Jm74GYsZjvQxD9GczE/s1600/Picture-3-770296.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgzDtMHuu-AuLWtT1Ur-zQzffuAvfxgDtsdglzMy764cy5OTV3KtmIWN6bGHDA0T-7PuMvHYkKtREIm9SZAazHSux1UoTvGSpIqSYif26vDioFX6Uh-DQE-4i8Jm74GYsZjvQxD9GczE/s200/Picture-3-770296.png" width="200" /></a></div> As I'm looking at pictures of all of these turtles, my mind turns to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill crisis. I think about how Louisianna's marsh land will never be the same...ever. And how devistating the oil is to the wildlife and fishermen. What does this mean for <em>our</em> turtle population? Will we see a bigger variety of species seeking safety on our coasts? And most of all, will the oil drift our direction? I guess only time will tell.Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-726402441975913295.post-19772565782362618112010-05-21T20:20:00.002-04:002010-05-21T21:15:50.808-04:00It's Turtle Time!!I'm so excited! Myrtle Beach State Park and S.C.U.T.E., South Carolina United Turtle Enthusiasts, are assigning a nest to me so I can follow it all summer long. I feel like a proud momma!<br />
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All summer I'm going to blog about nest progress, issues on our beaches that could hurt our sea turtle population and what everyone can do to help. You can also see updates on my facebook page and on WMBF News at 6 on Sundays. I hope you take the journey with me!Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12030193103435758662noreply@blogger.com0