I've had the good fortune to witness these beautiful marine reptiles several times on Florida's beaches. Each time has been at night when nesting females have come to lay their eggs. During nesting season, it is common to see protected, cordoned off areas designating these as Loggerhead nests with warnings not to disturb them--it is unlawful to do so. They are an endangered species. Their eggs are about the same size and shape as a ping-pong ball. I've yet to witness the eggs hatching--I hope to one day. Adults average between 200 and 300 pounds.
I’ve seen these trutles laying eggs and the little hatchlings racing to the water. My friend lives on the beach and a turtle decided to nest at her home. There are BIG restrictions when the turtles are nesting. Your rear lights must be off as the turtles tend to go to the light which is in the opposite direction of the ocean. Interesting ….!!!!!
This poem is a wonderful description of this beautiful turtle’s nesting pattern. Mother Nature is so magical.
Witnessing these amazing animals never gets old for me, Izzy. You are so right about those restrictions too–I’m quite aware of those regulations. Really, I must confess, you’re not supposed to touch them either–I couldn’t resist that one time.
Gayle:
This is so interesting. You poem is beautiful, but I am so excited…you touched them and watched them. That must have been so wonderful..to be there.
hugs
Jaye
I’ve seen them several times during walks on the beaches at night. I wish everyone could experience it at least once. They are just amazing–and so big! It’s such an effort for them to be out of the water.
This is, to me, so awe-inspiring. I remember these from a visit to FL when I was a teen. This winter in the desert we had a similar experience with a desert tortoise. Nature is such a blessing. Thanks for sharing this sacred moment, Gayle.
I would be equally in awe of a desert tortoise. I’m just so fascinated and feel so blessed to have been able to see these wonderful animals. Thanks for coming by, Victoria.
Lovely poem, photographs, and narrative. Thanks for sharing an experience with us that we can’t all have.
Puts me in mind today of the turtles that brought JFK to a stop, making all the air traffic stop until they crossed the landstrip to get to the other side where they lay their eggs.
What an awesome write, Gayle! 🙂 I wish I could witness the babies hatching in person. I know that so many of them don’t make it. 😦 I know the birds hafta eat, too, but if I were there, I would make sure more of the babies made it safely to water (even though I know people aren’t supposed to interfere).
I love turtles and have helped them across the road a time or two, myself! When I went to Hawaii for a couple of weeks, I was actually lucky enough to snorkel with some Green turtles – I didn’t get to touch them, but they were within a few feet of me and it was an incredible experience!
I just love all types of nature and this was just so wonderful to have witnessed sea turtle nestings. I agree with you–if I was present during their hatching, I probably would help them too. I would have a hard time standing by and doing nothing.
How cool to have been able to swim so close to Green turtles–and in Hawaii too!
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with me, Corina.
A beautiful tale of one of natures miracles, one that should teach us perserverance and trust.
Poetically, you have the beginning of a really good poem here. You have, in my opinion, an outline to build on. If you infuse some poetic devices as well as pare it down, this poem will be a knock-out inspiration.
I will do some paring to show what I mean. Please remember that this is only my opinion. Keep it or toss, your choice.
Oh, mother, toil
flip, fill
sandy cavity’s excavation
nesting fulfilled
return to ocean home
graceful journey
quiet might
[I reach out my hand and touch your back] remove
Although this last line gives an aww… factor, it doesn’t enhance the poem. The poem is very reverant in regards to the turtle. Injecting the human touch doesn’t fit the core of the write.
Absolutely lovely and a pleasure to give input on. Thank you for linking to dVerse tonight.
great subject…love the turtles…and to touch one…wow…nice close…a bit of crit…there are some tense issues here…past and present…i say go present tense…puts the reader more into the action…
Oh wow – im late popping in the bar to look around today – and i see you have some great feedback.
How amazing and inspiring it must be to live where you live and do what you do – thanks for sharing.
Your country – for me – is a holyland. beyond reality. An incredible movie zone.
but you have made it real with this write which only increases my desire to embark on my pilgrimage ha ha ha.
Yes, no time was apparently wasted in getting to work by our crits! I imagine it can be quite time consuming.
I live in a part of the U.S. which is a huge vacation destination spot because of the natural beauty here and then of course there’s Disney World, Universal Studios, Epcot and on and on. I’ll take the natural attractions over the others any day!
I’ve seen this before, haven’t I? And love it still. Beth made some excellent suggestions. A very impressive poem, Gayle…whatever you choose to do with it.
I am torn between agreeing with Beth about the paring down and liking the dignity of the rhythm you’ve used. However that rhythm does get a little boring as you go on; I would like to see some variation, or perhaps verse breaks.
I think you could lose ‘miracle’. We don’t need to be told it’s a miracle; we can see that from everything else you say.
With respect, I disagree wholeheartedly with Beth about the ending. Your presence as witness, watching and observing, draws me into the poem even more than if you had focused solely on the turtle. That touch at the end, to me encapsulates the poem and at the same time opens it up to resonate beyond its end.
My favourite moment in the poem is ‘Oh, mother, still more toil ahead’. It’s wonderful in itself and also a pivot point in the action. And it is a line which brings you (observer) and turtle together as one, as you feel so intensely her physical experience.
I see what you’re saying about the verse breaks–and how those can move a story along differently. Thank you for pointing that out.
You know, I tend to agree with you about the ending too. Because to me, as a witness to this amazing experience, that just topped it all off for me when I was actually able to reach out and touch her. A true spiritual experience for me. Maybe not to someone else… I did not really add it for the “aww” factor.
I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know what you thought and how I might make it better. You also helped affirm to me that my feelings behind this were felt by you too.
Bodhirose's Blog 
Inside the Mind of Isadora
/ July 1, 2011Gayle
I’ve seen these trutles laying eggs and the little hatchlings racing to the water. My friend lives on the beach and a turtle decided to nest at her home. There are BIG restrictions when the turtles are nesting. Your rear lights must be off as the turtles tend to go to the light which is in the opposite direction of the ocean. Interesting ….!!!!!
This poem is a wonderful description of this beautiful turtle’s nesting pattern. Mother Nature is so magical.
Namaste,
Izzy
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Bodhirose
/ July 1, 2011Witnessing these amazing animals never gets old for me, Izzy. You are so right about those restrictions too–I’m quite aware of those regulations. Really, I must confess, you’re not supposed to touch them either–I couldn’t resist that one time.
Mother Nature is awesome!
Namaste…
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jgavinallan
/ July 1, 2011Gayle:
This is so interesting. You poem is beautiful, but I am so excited…you touched them and watched them. That must have been so wonderful..to be there.
hugs
Jaye
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Bodhirose
/ July 1, 2011I’ve seen them several times during walks on the beaches at night. I wish everyone could experience it at least once. They are just amazing–and so big! It’s such an effort for them to be out of the water.
Hugs…
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liv2write2day
/ July 1, 2011This is, to me, so awe-inspiring. I remember these from a visit to FL when I was a teen. This winter in the desert we had a similar experience with a desert tortoise. Nature is such a blessing. Thanks for sharing this sacred moment, Gayle.
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Bodhirose
/ July 1, 2011I would be equally in awe of a desert tortoise. I’m just so fascinated and feel so blessed to have been able to see these wonderful animals. Thanks for coming by, Victoria.
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lesliepaints
/ July 2, 2011I watched a documaentary about these turtles and was so amazed by their lives and their travels. Beautiful poem!
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Bodhirose
/ July 2, 2011Thank you, Leslie. The sea is filled with so many fascinating creatures. We’ve learned so much through wonderful documentaries–I love those shows too.
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trisha
/ July 2, 2011giving birth, being a mother is really a tough job- human or others.
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Bodhirose
/ July 2, 2011Yes, there seems to be a lot of hardship that goes with that job. 🙂
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trisha
/ July 4, 2011you can say that again. you too are a living proof. mother’s do a lot for their children. human or not.
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Bodhirose
/ July 4, 2011Thanks, Trisha. Mostly, it’s a rewarding job. 🙂
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trisha
/ July 5, 2011very tough one too. i have seen lots of pregnant sisters, sister in laws and the toil they take to bring the baby forth is worth big applaud 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ July 5, 2011I guess that’s why they call it “labor”. Whew! 🙂
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trisha
/ July 7, 2011you bet. but thats only midway to the marathon.
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Bodhirose
/ July 7, 2011True! 🙂
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Jamie Dedes
/ July 4, 2011Lovely poem, photographs, and narrative. Thanks for sharing an experience with us that we can’t all have.
Puts me in mind today of the turtles that brought JFK to a stop, making all the air traffic stop until they crossed the landstrip to get to the other side where they lay their eggs.
Nice!
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Bodhirose
/ July 4, 2011Thank you, Jamie. I hadn’t heard that story before but when you have an endangered species, you can’t bug them!
I’ve stopped my car more than once for turtles crossing the road–sometimes even getting out and helping them across.
🙂
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dragonkatet
/ July 21, 2011What an awesome write, Gayle! 🙂 I wish I could witness the babies hatching in person. I know that so many of them don’t make it. 😦 I know the birds hafta eat, too, but if I were there, I would make sure more of the babies made it safely to water (even though I know people aren’t supposed to interfere).
I love turtles and have helped them across the road a time or two, myself! When I went to Hawaii for a couple of weeks, I was actually lucky enough to snorkel with some Green turtles – I didn’t get to touch them, but they were within a few feet of me and it was an incredible experience!
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Bodhirose
/ July 21, 2011I just love all types of nature and this was just so wonderful to have witnessed sea turtle nestings. I agree with you–if I was present during their hatching, I probably would help them too. I would have a hard time standing by and doing nothing.
How cool to have been able to swim so close to Green turtles–and in Hawaii too!
Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with me, Corina.
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Kim Nelson
/ August 4, 2011I’ve never seen loggerheads in action. This piece wonderfully suffices for the time. Thank you.
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Bodhirose
/ August 4, 2011They’re an awesome sight, Kim. And thank you for the visit and interest.
Gayle
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Beth Winter
/ August 4, 2011A beautiful tale of one of natures miracles, one that should teach us perserverance and trust.
Poetically, you have the beginning of a really good poem here. You have, in my opinion, an outline to build on. If you infuse some poetic devices as well as pare it down, this poem will be a knock-out inspiration.
I will do some paring to show what I mean. Please remember that this is only my opinion. Keep it or toss, your choice.
Loggerhead turtle–of imposing spirit
moonlit silhouette
respectful spectator, sacred scene
flipper gouged pit
clutch nested
unaware
Oh, mother, toil
flip, fill
sandy cavity’s excavation
nesting fulfilled
return to ocean home
graceful journey
quiet might
[I reach out my hand and touch your back] remove
Although this last line gives an aww… factor, it doesn’t enhance the poem. The poem is very reverant in regards to the turtle. Injecting the human touch doesn’t fit the core of the write.
Absolutely lovely and a pleasure to give input on. Thank you for linking to dVerse tonight.
Beth
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Bodhirose
/ August 4, 2011I appreciate your comments and guidance here, Beth. I’m getting a very clear impression of the need for editing, editing and more editing!
Thank you for your time and effort.
Gayle
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Heaven
/ August 4, 2011Indeed this a lovely share…and I like those pictures.
Beth gave great comments, which I appreciate. Thanks for sharing this ~
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Bodhirose
/ August 4, 2011Thank you, Heaven. I agree, Beth gave me some solid advice on the advantage of fearless editing!
I appreciate your visit.
Gayle
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brian
/ August 4, 2011great subject…love the turtles…and to touch one…wow…nice close…a bit of crit…there are some tense issues here…past and present…i say go present tense…puts the reader more into the action…
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Bodhirose
/ August 4, 2011I’m beginning to take note of that issue myself–the past and present tenses. Thank you, Brian–I sure appreciate your help.
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Tom Eliot
/ August 5, 2011Oh wow – im late popping in the bar to look around today – and i see you have some great feedback.
How amazing and inspiring it must be to live where you live and do what you do – thanks for sharing.
Your country – for me – is a holyland. beyond reality. An incredible movie zone.
but you have made it real with this write which only increases my desire to embark on my pilgrimage ha ha ha.
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Bodhirose
/ August 5, 2011Yes, no time was apparently wasted in getting to work by our crits! I imagine it can be quite time consuming.
I live in a part of the U.S. which is a huge vacation destination spot because of the natural beauty here and then of course there’s Disney World, Universal Studios, Epcot and on and on. I’ll take the natural attractions over the others any day!
Come on over! 🙂
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liv2write2day
/ August 5, 2011I’ve seen this before, haven’t I? And love it still. Beth made some excellent suggestions. A very impressive poem, Gayle…whatever you choose to do with it.
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Bodhirose
/ August 5, 2011Yes, you’ve seen this one before, Victoria. With everyone’s helpful suggestions, I’m beginning to look at things differently.
Thank you again…
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Rosemary Nissen-Wade aka SnakyPoet
/ August 5, 2011A wonderful subject.
I am torn between agreeing with Beth about the paring down and liking the dignity of the rhythm you’ve used. However that rhythm does get a little boring as you go on; I would like to see some variation, or perhaps verse breaks.
I think you could lose ‘miracle’. We don’t need to be told it’s a miracle; we can see that from everything else you say.
With respect, I disagree wholeheartedly with Beth about the ending. Your presence as witness, watching and observing, draws me into the poem even more than if you had focused solely on the turtle. That touch at the end, to me encapsulates the poem and at the same time opens it up to resonate beyond its end.
My favourite moment in the poem is ‘Oh, mother, still more toil ahead’. It’s wonderful in itself and also a pivot point in the action. And it is a line which brings you (observer) and turtle together as one, as you feel so intensely her physical experience.
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Bodhirose
/ August 5, 2011I see what you’re saying about the verse breaks–and how those can move a story along differently. Thank you for pointing that out.
You know, I tend to agree with you about the ending too. Because to me, as a witness to this amazing experience, that just topped it all off for me when I was actually able to reach out and touch her. A true spiritual experience for me. Maybe not to someone else… I did not really add it for the “aww” factor.
I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know what you thought and how I might make it better. You also helped affirm to me that my feelings behind this were felt by you too.
Thanks so much, Rosemary.
Gayle
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Bodhirose
/ August 19, 2011A very interesting and sad story linked here about a loggerhead saved from a spear through the head.
Thank you, CyberWhaleWarrior, for linking my poem to your article.
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