Hunter Goes Home: Turtle Hospital release today

I read of a rehabilitated turtle release at Higgs Beach today.

It was a 10 minute walk from where I am, and even so I was behind schedule.

orange vehicle is the Turtle Ambulance

The Turtle Hospital Ambulance transporting Hunter the sea turtle passed me on the way. Yikes. I knew there was a half an hour between arrival and departure for the turtle so I hustled down there.

There's the turtle ambulance. I'm in the right place.

crowd up ahead

turtle must be in there somewhere

Hunter!

Hunter!

Finally I can see Hunter. He is big.

He was super active. I am sure he knew he was near the ocean.

He looks healthy and strong. Did not expect such soulful eyes.

I moved out of the way so others could get a photo and then saw the crowd moving toward the Atlantic Ocean and forming two lines.

I chose my spot and we all waited together in two lines down to the water's edge.

birds waiting

people milling

After a short time the Turtle Hospital people came out with two ropes with buoys and created an official path for Hunter.

We were instructed to stay off the path, especially at the water's edge. If the turtle saw people in his path he could get disoriented we were told.

I waited quietly enjoying the whole thing, every minute of it. VERY lucky to be here on this day.

waiting

still waiting

"Welcome Home Hunter" 

Info on the Turtle Hospital here:  http://www.turtlehospital.org/

Info about today's release here:  http://www.turtlehospital.org/blog/?p=5908

Made Fresh Today-Sept 4 '07 - Turtles

Turtles Turtles rah rah rah

There's been a surge of interest in the turtle over the last two or three years. I used to make them now and again but I get more requests for turtles now than ever before. I guess they are a real symbol of our environment, and the dangers the environment faces now. I know frogs are a real marker of the health of our environment and we are surely failing to keep it up to snuff for those creatures.

But I digress.

I was asked to make sea turtles for a store in the US Virgin Islands and as I was researching the design I realized that the sea turtles have flippers instead of the feet I make on my land loving turtles. When you make their flippers, they look just like little wings on their bodies. This is apt as they sail through the water. A lot like flying if you ask me.

I've been trying to find a picture of what I made and it's lost to me right now. When I get my hands on it, you'll be the first to know.

BTW I give all my friendly plastic jewelry pieces names or captions, and for a turtle I have only ever had one caption: turtles turtles rah rah rah from the ad usually run at Christmas for the box of turtles chocolates.
It's really hard to come up with a caption for a turtle pin. Do you have one? If so, I'd love to hear it.