Monday, December 13, 2010

the turtle excursion

Our arrival time at the  Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island couldnt have been better.  Or so I thought.  We stepped into a room full of educational and hands on stations that Henry and I were drawn to right away.  Greta and Grandma Peg however were drawn to the large viewing window that looked into the surgery room.  A female sea turtle lay belly up, a veterinary surgeon positioned himself, scalpel in hand.  I couldn't watch.  I casually walked away from it but admired and encouraged Greta's interest.

About 10 minutes later she and Grandma Peg joined Henry and I as we walked around the room looking at dioramas and maps.  Greta tugged at my shirt, looked up at me with a pale face and a hand on her belly, she said with a low but urgent voice, "I want to go home now."  I knew immediately she was ready to loose it.  How could I expect that she would be unaffected by witnessing live surgery!  I picked her up and we rushed out the door.  As we crossed the threshold she threw up over my shoulder, amazingly missing my clothes and hitting my tote bag.  It wasn't a lot for she didn't have much of a breakfast.  We sat on the lawn in front of the Turtle Center, she snacked on some dry cereal, drank some water, we soaked in the sun and watched the moss swaying from the massive live oaks.  It was a lovely morning and Greta was soon feeling herself again.  



We then walked straight into the rehabilitation area.  Sadly these turtles are often victims of boat collisions or hazardous environmental conditions.  Each turtle has a story.



It was an educational morning to say the least.  We learned much about the life and trials of the sea turtles that live and breed along this coastline.  I also learned to think twice next time I send Greta into surgery.  Maybe when she's seven. 

8 comments:

Kelli said...

poor greta!

The Kender-Page said...

poor greta! but i am still impressed by her curiosity and the fact that she made it so long!

The Kender-Page said...

ps i say kudos to the mama who was encouraging her interest no matter what the result.

Rachel said...

jess: thanks for the kudos. :)

jasmin said...

What a story! I love big turtles. I have heard them crying in Bali knowing that they were going to be slaughtered for a wedding feast the next morning. True story. They were weeping!

Rachel said...

Jasmin: that story is heartbreaking. I think if I heard those cries I would jump in my night ninja suit and rescue them all. i wont tell greta this story, she might cry herself.

Ariane Reichardt said...

Oh, what a story...
How is Greta today? Is she talking about this 'adventure'? and how are you?
Hope you are all fine.
And crying turtles, Jasmin?...make me feel sad.

jasmin said...

I know, very sad, but something there is something also qite poetic about it. Or a great name for a bad... the crying turtles.....