30/11/2020
This is probably the 4th or 5th year she's done this. She comes outta the"preserve" (actually it's a FREAKING swamp). Walks the whole way across the wide 18th fairway, and goes to work digging with her hind legs so she can bury/lay her eggs.
Fortunately, this year I was able to protect her from the as***le golfers during her annual ritual.
With the help of the fine people that work the course here at Tierra Del Sol, we have roped off her "spot". It'll remain untouched and undisturbed until her "babies" emerge.
When she finishes her task, she heads back across the fairway to her home.
As I've done in past years I give her a "limo ride" in the golf cart to help her get home safely.
Great day in the VILLAGES.
FROM MY BESTEST FRIEND, TIM:
A little info on the actual "birthing" of the baby turtles. Turtle are interesting creatures especially their off-spring or shall I say how the s*x of their offspring is determined.
It is called temperature~dependent s*x determination, or TSD. Research shows that if a turtles’s eggs incubate below 81.86 Fahrenheit, the turtle hatchlings will be MALE. If the eggs incubate above 87.8 Fahrenheit, however, the hatchlings will be FEMALE. Thus the eggs' position within the nest, upper tier or lower determines if you’re going to be male or female. Interesting enough is the fact that the alligators, the ORIGINAL FLORIDIANS, are also affected via TSD but just the opposite from turtles.
By the way this turtle egg nesting area was protected by my friend George. If possible, I’d love to be there to assist the babies getting to their destination. But the incubation period will take between 2 and 3 months so keep your eyes focused on your roped off area.
TIM & TERI: I have already set reminders on my GOOGLE CALENDAR to start checking the "nest" on my birthday, 01/27 and will strive to do so daily thru the end of March. Again, we've witnessed this ritual for the past several years and I'd love to "assist" the hatchlings in their quest to remain alive.
I'm not really sure where they'll head once they emerge but if they're anything like sea turtles, they'll probably head to where their MAMA came from which would be the "preserve/swamp" across the W-I-D-E golf fairway. Don't know if it'll happen at night or during the day. If at night - they're on their own. During daylight - I may be able to assist them in their arduous journey to safety.
