Are they here yet?

Kirsten Dahlen, our Traveling Turtle Girl, attends a nest on Pensacola Beach.


Kirsten listens for sounds of the tiny hatchlings working their way to the surface.

Although I've witnessed two other hatchlings in as many years, this is the first year I've stayed so long at the nest and listened as they work their way up. It's a startling experience the first time you hear hatchlings scratching beneath the surface.


It turned out to be another beautiful night on Pensacola Beach, though when I left shortly before midnight, no hatchlings had emerged. Tomorrow night for sure! Or maybe they will be gone by tomorrow morning! It's SO exciting!