Not all have escaped Dorian's rath.
Sep 1, 2019 10:36:16 #
Always exciting to walk on the beach (this is at Patrick Air Force Base in Indian Harbor Beach - about 20 miles south of Cape Canaveral) before the hurricane hits. The tide was high an hour ago when we went for a walk. These photos were taken with my old iPhone 6. There is not much "beach" left. Fortunately for the sea turtles, this has been a record-setting year in terms of the number of nests. Many nests have hatched already, and we have - until now - not had any nest-destroying tropical storm surf.
But many nests will not survive Dorian. We saw fresh turtle tracks (indicating where they have come up on the beach to lay their eggs) even two weeks ago - very late in the season.
Today we saw the fragile shells of eggs that have hatched. Over the next few weeks we will have to watch for baby turtles that have become exhausted and blown/washed back up onto the beach. If humans get to them before the sea gulls do, the Brevard County Zoo and the Sea Turtle Society will feed and shelter them until they are stronger and the seas quiet down a little.
But some nests have already been washed out by the storm waves. We found a partially-developed egg on the beach that was partially ripped open - I opened it up the rest of the way to make sure there was no viable baby turtle in it.. It would have already been eaten by the gulls and shore birds except that the rough surf is keeping them all away.
But many nests will not survive Dorian. We saw fresh turtle tracks (indicating where they have come up on the beach to lay their eggs) even two weeks ago - very late in the season.
Today we saw the fragile shells of eggs that have hatched. Over the next few weeks we will have to watch for baby turtles that have become exhausted and blown/washed back up onto the beach. If humans get to them before the sea gulls do, the Brevard County Zoo and the Sea Turtle Society will feed and shelter them until they are stronger and the seas quiet down a little.
But some nests have already been washed out by the storm waves. We found a partially-developed egg on the beach that was partially ripped open - I opened it up the rest of the way to make sure there was no viable baby turtle in it.. It would have already been eaten by the gulls and shore birds except that the rough surf is keeping them all away.
High tide and rough surf this morning!
(Download)
Rough surf - no one in the water today!
(Download)
This one hatched - hopefully he made it to the water!
(Download)
You can see the partly-formed embryo and yolk sac. Probably had 3-4 weeks left to go.
(Download)
Sep 1, 2019 11:52:40 #
Sep 1, 2019 14:57:11 #
Thank you. I feel for the people of the Bahamas - they are getting hit hard right now.
Sep 1, 2019 15:05:26 #
Looks like its turning north. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.
Sep 1, 2019 22:10:21 #
Sep 2, 2019 07:12:41 #
The latest report shows that Dorian is now only moving at one mph! It's going to wreak havoc on the Bahamas for a long time. The pressure is rising slightly, that's the only good news, albeit small.
A hurricane releases 50 trillion to 200 trillion watts of heat energy. This is as much energy as a 10-megaton nuclear bomb exploding every 20 minutes.- Provided by FactRetriever.com
A hurricane releases 50 trillion to 200 trillion watts of heat energy. This is as much energy as a 10-megaton nuclear bomb exploding every 20 minutes.- Provided by FactRetriever.com
Sep 2, 2019 07:49:01 #
Sep 2, 2019 10:23:06 #
Sep 2, 2019 10:27:29 #
Yes...the approaching storm may very well destroy that whole coastline. I worry that India Atlantic will be wiped out and everything along the Banana River zone as well. I used to live in West Melbourne and had family members in Coco Beach as well. Stay safe man.
Sep 2, 2019 10:48:00 #
Sep 2, 2019 11:56:46 #
Blair Shaw Jr wrote:
Yes...the approaching storm may very well destroy that whole coastline. I worry that India Atlantic will be wiped out and everything along the Banana River zone as well. I used to live in West Melbourne and had family members in Coco Beach as well. Stay safe man.
Thanks - we used to live in Indialantic - about 8 feet above sea level. We live a little higher and a little further from the ocean now. The barrier island is very narrow in spots - like parts of Cocoa Beach which are only 3 blocks wide and 4 feet above sea level at most. A direct hit would be catastrophic.
Sep 2, 2019 18:37:43 #
Sep 2, 2019 19:26:11 #
On the opposite side of the state from you Steve and they have had a record turtle season on Anna Maria Island also. Hopefully you are already prepared and out of harms way. A few days ago with the track really uncertain I stocked up on water, some can goods and gas for the generator. Looks like we will be spared but now I am prepared for the next one. On the National Hurricane Center site there are 3 more floating around out there besides Dorian. One in the Gulf of Mexico moving west, one to the east of Dorian and one that came off the coast of Africa about 2 days ago. That one is moving northwest and has a 70% chance of development over the next 5 days.
Don
Don
Sep 3, 2019 16:55:04 #
chippy65
Loc: Cambridge
poor people surrounded by utter destruction..........the increasing frequency and rising power of these hurricanes, if related to global warming
should make us both ashamed and afraid for our children. Tearing up the Kyoto agreement was not POTUS Trump's finest hour
should make us both ashamed and afraid for our children. Tearing up the Kyoto agreement was not POTUS Trump's finest hour
Sep 3, 2019 17:15:01 #
chippy65 wrote:
poor people surrounded by utter destruction..........the increasing frequency and rising power of these hurricanes, if related to global warming
should make us both ashamed and afraid for our children. Tearing up the Kyoto agreement was not POTUS Trump's finest hour
should make us both ashamed and afraid for our children. Tearing up the Kyoto agreement was not POTUS Trump's finest hour
Please don't be so simplistic. Also, I think it best to keep our opinions to photography and the photographer.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.