Green turtles... an endangered species in Florida

We get very few green turtle nests on our beach, so I was really excited to have the opportunity to clean one.  72 hours after the first emergence, we clean the nest to release any turtles, record statistics, etc.

Green turtle hatchlings emerging
These guys are working hard to get out.  Notice the roots in nest cavity - many of the hatchlings were caught in the roots and could no longer move.

On the road again
Green hatchlings have a much darker shell and very white underside.  We released 12 hatchlings from the nest.

Paul on watch
Got to watch those sneaky birds - they like to swoop down and carry off the hatchlings.