Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Baby Sea Turtles Released


Thanks to my friend Steve Chism, amateur geologist, local naturalist, author and puppy lover, I have photos of the recent baby sea turtle release in front of the Palmas de Cortez hotel in Los Barriles. (Steve is also an official, Mexican certified turtle research assistant) He participated in the release in which a few hundred newly hatched baby sea turtles were released into the Sea of Cortez. This event serves the dual purpose of ensuring that a known number of sea turtles survive from the nest to the water and to raise public awareness of sea turtle nesting habits and how we can help ensure their survival. The greatest danger in the life-cycle of sea turtles is from the point the eggs are laid to re-entry into the ocean. On the shore, the mother sea turtles are exposed to predatory animals and poachers as they go through the ritual of depositing their eggs. The eggs are in danger of being eaten by a large number of predators from crabs to foxes and the nests being compressed by motor vehicles. Then during the hatch and return to the sea, the baby sea turtles are exposed to an even larger group of predators when you add birds and shore fish to the list.
If you are in the los Cabos area, ask around and see if you can find out where a baby sea turtle release will take place. It will be well worth your time to attend. Take your kids or borrow some; they'll love it.

Rick Outa Here

Rick is still attempting to weaken and dodge the Baja. There's still the possibility that he could stall over the Sea of Cortez, pick up steam again and follow the warmer water to the North. Which is basically what happened 3 years ago with hurricane John. As John approached San Jose del Cabo, it slowed, turned East and followed the warmer water to landfall almost RIGHT ON TOP OF US! By the way,San Jose hasn't been clobbered in years. Maybe they really do have the hurricane deflecting machine.

With a little luck, this will be the last storm of the year. And good riddance to them.

Apture