Storm Weather, Erosion and the Last Nest

It still was not a good day to go count piping plovers in the park, but it was a fine time to check our last loggerhead (Caretta caretta) nest near Park East.



When I was there yesterday, there was roughly 20 feet between the nest sign and the surf. This morning, the egg chamber itself was only six or seven feet from the water!



There was a lot of sand piled on the nest again as well. The sign in the middle is about 4 feet tall!




This poor nest has been through so much, with wind, waves and rain from Faye, Gustav and Ike, and now the weather this week.



It's been chilly and damp as well. All we can do is hope that some of the tiny turtle embryos are strong enough to weather the storms. That should make them great candidates for survival in the wild ocean as well.



It wasn't a good day to drive on the sand either. With so much of it shifting and washed by the waves, it's easy to sink!



Even on a stormy day, Pensacola Beach is simply stunning!

Shades of Blue, or Just Another Day in Paradise

Fall has definitely brought some beautiful weather to the Gulf Coast.



It's a little chilly in the morning for me, but who can really complain when this is the office?



Just check out all the shades of blue!



There is a little erosion in places, but that's normal this time of year... The gently sloping summer beach will return in time.



Can you see our last turtle nest by the sand fence? We hope it will hatch any day now.



The Blue Angels seem to be enjoying the fall as well.



What a thrill is must be to pilot those planes!

ATV Theft

Those of you who live in the Pensacola Beach area may know we patrol four separate sections of beach searching for sea turtle nests, hatching nests or disoriented hatchlings and adults. As each stretch is about 7 miles, we patrol on ATV. Disoriented adults and hatchlings can die from exposure, predation or other means if we can't get to them in a timely manner. We can ill afford to lose a single animal in this critical population...



One of our ATVs, a green 2006 Honda, was stolen from our storage POD in the Park East lot sometime Sunday afternoon/night or very early Monday morning. Since we patrol starting at about 0530, it would have been VERY early.



The ATV looks a lot like the one above, with a "Q" sticker near the gas tank. If you see it, or know anything about it, please call Gulf Breeze dispatch. This is an important tool in our efforts to protect the threatened and endangered sea turtles that grace our shores. Please help us continue to help these graceful creatures in their struggle for survival.

This theft represents a $5000 loss for the National Park Service, and for the sea turtles. Who could do something so heartless?

Thanks for your help!