Leatherback Turtle Burying Eggs
After several decades at sea, female leatherback turtles return to land where they lay their eggs. Unlike other sea turtles, they don’t necessarily return to the exact location where they were born but do, however, return to the same general area. During a single season, a mother will come ashore between four to seven times, with an average of ten days between nestings. She will lay more than 100 eggs per nest, including about 80 fertilized eggs, and another 30 unfertilized eggs. Due to the constant erosion of beaches and the possibility of nests being swept away, leatherbacks will increase the odds of their hatchlings’ survival by laying eggs in a slightly different spot each time they return. This is all done at night, but some turtles will still be on the beach very early in the morning, like the one above. She had laid her eggs in a deep hole and was in the process of covering them up when I took this shot. A slow shutter speed was used in the dim light to blur the sand that she was tossing behind her with her large flippers. I didn’t use flash because doing so is harmful to both the mothers and hatchlings who are guided by the brightest light on the horizon which lets them know their way back to the water. Note all the vultures in the background, waiting for the opportunity to steal an egg (or a hatchling).
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 1600, f/3.5 at 1/40th of a second
What an awesome image that recorded an awesome experience, Sean!
Shore pressed with cloud —- Sand tossed by flippers arc —- This new life demands.
Incredible image, Sean. Do the mama turtles do this every year for many years? how young are they when they start laying these eggs?
Thanks Mom. They nest every two to three years once they become of age at about 16. Between nesting years, they spend their time feeding to build up the strength for the arduous task of hauling their enormous bodies out of the water, digging deep holes in the sand, laying the eggs, covering them up, and struggling back into the water — just so they can do it again in another ten days. They’ll do this 5 to 7 times per nesting season.
Spectacular shot. I seem to be saying this a lot. 🙂
Thanks Rachel. Trinidad proved to be a great place for a quick photo trip. Lots of willing subjects.
So ancient.
what kind od flash do have that does that much harm to the turles?
Hey Michael, even faint light can confuse the turtles. Most camera flash units are very harsh. The turtles instinctively head toward the brightest spot on the horizon. This is most always the open ocean. If there is light behind the beach that is brighter than the horizon, they will head in that direction.
Amazing. Thanks for sharing these photos and stories Sean. Great work.