14 February
I know it's been a while (I've been bad with keeping up with non-work related writing), but thanks to Douglas Seifert's generosity I got inspired to drop a line and share some wonderful photos that Douglas took last week, right here off Palm Beach. The Kemp's Ridley is a critically endangered sea turtle that is rarely seen by divers in our waters, so the sighting was a special event. Kemp's nest mostly in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, but they also nest sometimes on Padre Island, Texas. The adult sea turtles mate offshore, and when a powerful wind blows from the north the females land in groups on the beach (they prefer areas with dunes followed by swamps). They are the only species of sea turtle known to lay their eggs during the day. We often see loggerheads resting on the bottom and under coral ledges, and occasionally greens hawksbills, but leatherbacks and Ridley's are a special treat. Happy Valentine's Day!
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