After that first night of working 6 hours, we were all pretty exhausted the next morning to be sure. We adjusted for the next couple of days and would have late breakfasts, usually at 10 (earliest) or 11, and take naps later in the day when possible. That first night was the longest shift, and after that they were usually 4 or 5 hours instead. It all depended on the tide. There was also a spectacular lightening show every night at some point...every single night, even if it was off in the distance. A couple nights we were entertained by a tremendous one, complete with pouring rain, thunder, and wind, in which case we would hang out on the covered porch and wait it out.
Even though the beach was at hand, right through the backyard, after walking on it so long at night it just seemed more tempting to lounge and swim in the pool. And that is what we did with most of our free time, becoming very adept at water volleyball.
There were still no eggs in the hatchery, as none had to be moved there for safety so far. But we did help out there by painting the fence, fixing the nest covers, and laying out the nesting unit grid. On many of the days, especially if there wasn't a trip planned for us, we had Powerpoint presentations given by the biologists, sharing their research focus and goals concerning the Leatherbacks.
A couple of the major problems were ones we came face to face with, specifically that of lights and tourists/poachers. The turtles are sensitive to lights, and they will try to avoid them. But if the lights are on the stretch of beach where they do their nesting, what will the turtles do? Some of the hotels that can be seen from the beach have complied and have changed their light bulbs to red ones, but many have not. The biologists and the patroling guards that take out tourists to see the turtles, we all use red filters on all flashlights. But a few nights out we came across tourists who were shining about their big dumb flashlights, in all ignorance I'm sure, but scaring off the very turtles they hope to see. We also came across suspicious folk, who would have plastic bags with them.....maybe collecting sea shells (also illegal because it is a protected Park), or maybe trying to collect something else? In either case, the biologist in the duo or group patroling would have to remind them that the park was closed at dark to protect the turtles, and that would be that. One night we came across three clearly drunk surfer guys, waving their flashlights all over the place. Nate, the biologist with Melanie and I, told them he was sorry, but the park was closed, and the one guy actually said," Yeah- we heard about that...." That didn't stop them clearly, but they stumbled off anyway.
Things like this, and interesting conversation with the biologist and/or other volunteer, made the night shifts pass quicker and take our minds off blisters, and the fact that most of us, except one group, had still not seen a Leatherback turtle.
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