Turtle Boil

My parents friend that lives on Ocean Isle is a Turtle Nest Mother. That means she gets to stay up until 11 for a few days with some other people and check their specific nest every 15 min or so as it is supposed to hatch. We went over Sunday night because that was Day 51, the day that the other nests hatched on the island. Nothing happened that night so we went back last night. Ryan thought it would be a couple days and it seemed that way when we showed up. We got there around 9:30 and there were no changes to the mound....another check at 9:45 and nothing. Our friend came over and told us we should go home. We about did but my dad was asleep in his chair and the rest of us were just watching the stars so we weren't in a rush to get up. Someone went to check around 10 and I honestly didn't even turn to pay attention. Then suddenly everyone starting moving and buzzing. The turtles were coming!

This nest had 129 eggs and they counted approximately 119 turtles last night so they call this a boil since a whole bunch came up at the exact same time (the opposite would be a trickle). Not being a turtle expert, I really don't know but that seems like a huge percentage of the eggs to have survived and hatched. Since this beach is replenished meaning sand is added to keep it from eroding too much, they have to move the nests back to the dunes so they are protected and won't be washed away. This unfortunately makes for a dangerously long "commute" to the ocean for the hatchlings so these "nest parents" build a trough down from the nest to a cooler and attract the turtles to it using flourescent lights. They then carry the cooler to the water and people stand in the water with lights and the turtles go out to the waves. From that point on it's up to nature. It was quite a sight and a huge, healthy boil. We had a great time and were so lucky to have gotten to see it. You can find more pictures here.

Anyways, that's our exciting news.

Steph and Ryan

*P.S. Jennifer you were right. Our friend said one of the islands north of here, near Topsail, had 89 nests which is a huge number. Ocean Isle had 19 i think but it varies year-to-year.

*P.P.S Pictures were difficult as flash was strictly prohibited (the turtles would go towards it). But Ryan and my mom managed to get a few good ones.

Surprise!

So I don't want to spoil the surprise until Ryan uploads photos--just check back later today! We all got to see something amazing last night that none of us had ever seen before--the kids will probably like the photos. Ryan and my dad are out catching their dinner, which they have not successful done together before. They took the kayaks so they could get to a more remote area so maybe today will be the day.

Fill you in once they return (and remove the fish stink!)!