It really is something to see hundreds of little turtles crawling out of the sand. This poor little hatchling appeared to get stuck halfway there and was appealing to nearby siblings for a hand. It took a while, but eventually, he/she was one of the last to struggle to the surface and begin the journey home. The gender of leatherback hatchlings is determined by the temperature of the sand during incubation. Warmer sand temperatures produce more or all female hatchlings, and cooler sand temperatures produce more or all males. Nikon D800 with Nikkor 105mm macro lens, ISO 800, f/5 at 1/80th of a second
What an opportunity to catch such a sight with your lens, Sean. I would have had the urge to help that little turtle, but would have resorted to bubblegum to remain in place awhile and give Mother Nature, whom we know knows best, do her thing. I am glad the wee-one made it. : )
So, what happens if the sand changes temperature mid-incubation? Does the transgender turtle get on the cover of Vanity Fair? Sorry, Sean but I coudln’t help but ask in lieu of current social events. This is a great shot. Kudos to you sir.
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It really is something to see hundreds of little turtles crawling out of the sand. This poor little hatchling appeared to get stuck halfway there and was appealing to nearby siblings for a hand. It took a while, but eventually, he/she was one of the last to struggle to the surface and begin the journey home. The gender of leatherback hatchlings is determined by the temperature of the sand during incubation. Warmer sand temperatures produce more or all female hatchlings, and cooler sand temperatures produce more or all males.
What an opportunity to catch such a sight with your lens, Sean. I would have had the urge to help that little turtle, but would have resorted to bubblegum to remain in place awhile and give Mother Nature, whom we know knows best, do her thing. I am glad the wee-one made it. : )
The force that through the
Green fuse drives a species moves
A soft shelled beauty .
Oh…I want to help her and get the sand out of her eye, too. Nature is wild and painful – and soft, tender and vulnerable. Lovely, Sean, thank you.
Great shot and so interesting about how the gender is assigned. I never knew that.
Award winner.
OH EM GEE. Are you kidding me with this shot?!!
So, what happens if the sand changes temperature mid-incubation? Does the transgender turtle get on the cover of Vanity Fair? Sorry, Sean but I coudln’t help but ask in lieu of current social events. This is a great shot. Kudos to you sir.
You never fail in finding ways to make any animal look so adorable!
cool pic. Looks like he made to the world on his own,
beautiful 🙂