San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge has a residential group of approximately 60 protected Eastern Pacific Green Sea Turtles. No one knows how they got here, but it is assumed they were caught many decades ago in Mexico, brought to the bay alive, and escaped from fishing pens, prior to being slaughtered. They settled successfully in the bay due to waters that are artificially warmed by nearby industry.
This is the only area on the west coast of the US where green sea turtles are known to congregate and thrive.
These turtles are an endangered species due to habitat destruction, illegal poaching, inadvertent fish netting, boat strikes, and plastic ingestion.
San Diego Bay Wildlife Refuge is one of the few safe sanctuaries for these peaceful and VERY large turtles. The largest turtle ever measured here weighed 530 lbs, which is the largest known green turtle in the Eastern Pacific.
There is a rehab, rescue and education center in the refuge, where injured and rescued native wildlife are cared for, including a small number of green sea turtles. The center provides education on the pressing need for conservation of native species and is open to visitors.
I was amazed at how friendly the turtles are!
They swim to the sides of their plexiglass tank to interact and seem genuinely happy to goof around with you!
Cheers to you from the magnificent, goofy & gregarious, seriously endangered Pacific Green Sea Turtles.
Do you want to imagine the world without them? Do you want the Trump administration to repeal existing environmental and vulnerable species protections?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
For more info: https://swfsc.noaa.gov/textblock.aspx?Division=PRD&ParentMenuId=212&id=4378
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Like our endangered friends , this election is a reminder not to take for granted what we hold so dear – and when it is threatened, to stand up and fight. Beautiful photos – as always.
Yes. It is indeed time to draw a line on the ground and stand our ground. We did not elect this man to be president. He is Putin’s president.
The turtle-friendly “waters that are artificially warmed by nearby industry” are among the RARE examples of unintended consequences that are welcome rather then unwelcome. Many more of the usual kind are on the way, as Trumpery picks up speed.
Yes exactly. The same thing happened at The San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant. The warm outflow supported non-resident marine life. It is an unintended consequence. In the case of the turtles it is positive since they are so endangered.
Okay, I’ve figured it out. There has to be some kind of magnet inside you that calls to all animals and birds or whatever the critter may be, and when you come around they can’t help but come close and photogenically pose for your camera.
AND to pose in absolutely no way that is a threat to you or your well being. It’s not unlike the phenomena of the “pied piper.” So I’m changing your previous title from Bird Queen to Critter Queen!!! Love and hugs, N 🙂 <3
Oh I am smiling! I wish it were so. I do sometimes feel that wild animals are interested in me because I am an odd creature to them. I have this strange camera with no tripod and this adjustable telephoto lens that is always plastered against my face. They often seem to stare directly into the lens as if they are fascinated by it attached to this moving creature and are not sure precisely what I sort of creature I am. Laughing….. Whatever, it works and I love them. Thank you for making me smile!
Yeppers you’re a magnet for sure! Not to mention a sweet lady and lovely friend‼️❌⭕️
Okay, now I’m laughing. You are a joy to so many of us Natalie! I am so lucky to know you~ <3
Awwwww thanks Cindy! I feel very blessed to know you and to be able to have some fun and make you smile and/or laugh! Have a great week missy❣️😥
You too my friend and I look forward to sharing 2017 with you! <3
And I with you! Wouldn’t miss it for the world‼️❌⭕️
Back at you, with gratitude too~ <3
Well said, Natalie! 🙂
Thank you Dina for your positive presence. It is much appreciated!
Thanks Dina! 😊❤️
Wow what a nice turtle!
There was an even bigger one. But he rarely came up for air!
Did you see these turtles at the Living Coast Discovery Center? Or somewhere else?
Yes, part of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife refuge. My next post is on the center.
Awesome! I’ve intended to go there for the longest time!
Well definitely go! I would love to see your post. it is a small operation. Not impressive entertainment wise, unless you care about they are trying to do. I have lived here all my life and I never knew until recently, that turtles escaped the horrid scene I saw them subjected to in restaurants when I was young. It is so incredible they established their own place in the San
Diego Bay. This is the most amazing thing to me~
I will one day…
I’m turtle-ly amazed by these endangered species, my friend! ಥ‿ಥ
They are 🐢ly cool critters aren’t they! <3
I am glad you mentioned they were goofy and playful – I would have never guessed it from their expression 😀 Or maybe they dont wear their heart on their sleeves? Lovely photos Cindy, thank you for giving us another priceless glimpse and insight.
Awww, thank you much more for appreciating the 🐢🐢🐢!
🙂
Fantastic series, Cindy. What fabulous creatures. I was a “turtle lady” in SC for many years and loved every minute. (Loggerheads) Thanks for these great close-ups.
Oh how wonderful that must have been! Did you read, “The Wildest Woman in America,” about the turtle lady of Cumberland island? Remarkable lifetime commitment to turtle conservation.
I have not, but will look it up. It is magical to see the babies hatching at sunrise. Great memories.
I have never seen this and would love to!
Thanks for the tip!
Ahhh beautiful! We witnessed turtles laying eggs on ths sand when we lived in Nicaragua and we are apparently going to see them here in Sri Lanka soon, as it is the breeding season
Lovely photos, blissful post. Thanks!
Peta.
Well, then, you know more than I, they are magic. Magical, very ancient creatures. I would love to see them in both those places~
…Dream of a flight!
Always dream!
Aren’t they beautiful? You got really great photo’s too. I thought at first you were out for a swim with them or something…LOL ! I don’t know if I should have an opinion about Trump but it’s not a favourable one and that’s putting it mildly. Maybe he’ll get repealed? One can hope. Gah! I can’t see him running the country for the next four years. You’re going to have to fire him. Oh Cindy, is it all a bad dream? xo K
Yes, it’s all a very bad dream. But, unfortunately, it’s one we can’t wake up from. I love what JK Rowlings said when someone told her not to criticize Trump because she was British and it was “None of her business.”
She said, “He has access to the nuclear codes, you better believe it’s my business!”
Love that too!
<3
Is this the same type of turtle often found in Hawaiian waters? I recall the first time I saw a giant, green turtle, head poking up from the water like a periscope beside a startled body boarder to get a view of the human who was just chilling in the water. Funny and cute!
By the way, any mention of turtles makes me think of that “I like turtles” boy who became an internet sensation – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y Yep, what he said, plain and simple!
That is my kinda kid! He goes off script! I love how the reporter was totally at a loss. Cracking up…..thank you for sharing this Lynn. Hilarious! 🐢🐢
I’ve seen turtles in the wild when I was diving off the Maldives. I was rather charmed by their propensity to crap at you if they became startled and wished to flee unpursued 🙂
Laughing….. smart 🐢🐢! Lots of sea creatures do this. Whales when they breech for tourists giving them those great shots with a little something extra! Penguins projectile vomit on you if they don’t like you. And birds, well birds, have such wonderful opportunities for revenge! Cracking up…..
Also in the Maldive I got divebombed by a pair of terns when I got too near their nestsite. Fortunately I was in the sea at the time and had a quick sluice off. I can tell you that tern crap smells like something from beyond the grave.
You should never sit under a tree with pelicans in it. I learned this the hard way. As you say, at least you can bolt quickly into the sea. Laughing…..
I’ll bear that in mind. I guess that anything that lives on a diet of raw fish is going to be a bit smelly at the other end. 😉
Hopefully no human’s who consist only on sushi and ceviche are going to read this!
Well on the human side it’s not likely to be an issue unless you have some very specialised sexual proclivities. 😉
These turtles almost look like they’d have their own little personalities. And I guess they would.
There is a folk story about a sea turtle in Japan – a fisherman, Taro, one day saved a Sea Turtle from a group of naughty children and released it back to the sea. Some time after, a turtle appeared before Taro, thanked him for saving its life, and wished to invite him to visit an underwater paradise. Turtle took Taro on its back, and it turns into a beautiful woman as they arrived at the paradise. Taro spent some time at the paradise, which was all about pleasure and luxury, however he eventually asked the woman if she would take him back to the shore; that he needed to go home. She gave Taro a box of gift, and made Taro promise never to open the box. Upon return, Taro realises that he had been gone for hundreds of years and he no longer knew a person in his old fishing village. He desperately looked for any familiarity, and finally, could not resist opening the box . When he opened to look inside the box, all it came out was smoke. And the smoke turned Taro into a very old man.
Wow! That gives me goosebumps! What an amazing story. What should Taro have done I wonder, never go with the turtle, or stay forever in paradise under the sea? Remarkable Maiko. Thank you for sharing this with me.
Interesting message, isn’t it? Those were the questions I was asked when I was young as well. I did not know the answer. I still don’t think I do. May be it is teaching that good deed should not be done in expectation for a return. Either way, I am glad you found it interesting Cindy.
It also makes you think about how paradise, after too long, might become confining. It is quite a thought provoker isn’t it.
Yes, indeed. And Taro chose ‘home’ over the paradise. It certainly is thought provoking.
You are thought provoking Maiko. Thank you for being you and letting me know you.
<3<3<3 Right back to you Cindy! Thanks millions.
<3
Great photos, Cindy. They look like they are enjoying themselves!
I hope they are. I’d rather they be in the ocean, but at least they are safe here~
Absolutely 🙂
Great shots, Cindy. Of course they should be protected
Amen! 🐢
What lovely creatures…
🐢🐢🐢 are! And they thank you!
They are beautiful and fascinating creatures like all other mammals. I did not know of the repeals in place or considered, but hope it can be saved or reversed to allow these creatures and others endangered to be saved, cared for and preserved.
All creatures great and small, wise and wonderful! It’s our job to protect them. Thank you Joyce~ 🐢
Great photos.
I will be interested to see how a person without political experience deals with the US civil service. I think they will probably run rings round him. I hope. 🙂
Hope springs eternal in the human heart, even when trumped by Putins’ new president~
The world has gone all tops-turvy.
Perhaps Trump thinks he can use business skills to get the better of Putin. Putin must be laughing at the thought.
I think it’s probable that in all the confusion very little will get done. We (the world) will just put you (USA) on hold while we check with a supervisor. 😀 😀
Laughing……Oh how I wish that would work!!!
“Excuse me US, we are going to put you on hold for four years until we can speak with a supervisor, or you get a new president.”
You crack me up……
Patient: Doctor, doctor I think I’m cracking up.
Doctor: Pull yourself together.
Tee Hee. 😀
Thanks Cindy! I had no idea there was a turtle sanctuary in S. CA. Your photos are beautiful and make me want to swim and play with the turtles!
Yes, the only problem is the area of the bay where they live is heavily impacted by industry and I doubt it would make for pleasant swimming.
Now you have a very big responsibility so that green turtles and other precious animals may also be protected in the future!!:) Thank you Cindy, for your great post. Cari saluti
Exactly! Thank you for your thougtful comment Martina~
Trump and his administration are gonna be a disaster on every level. 🙁
Yes, and time is just ticking towards take-off…….
🙁 🙁 🙁
I love turtles and anyone who rescues them. I have rescued some in our area (walking across the road from the pond) and those beaks can really bite! Lovely shots, Cindy. 🐢
Maybe they were snapping turtles. I have heard they pack quite a crunch! Our tortoises would never bite~ 🐢🐢
They make a lot of noise while mating though. I was quite surprised the first time I heard tortoises gettin’ hot.
Oh my God, I can’t believe you mentioned this. I took my kids and some friends to the zoo when they were little and the tortoises were going at it, gasping and carrying on, one little boy Kenny, reached over the enclosure and started petting the strenuously involved male tortoise on the head crying “Help him, help him! He’s having trouble breathing!”
No lie! This happened! I almost popped trying to contain my laughter~
LOL! That is so funny – my cats used to squeak at my husband to make him stop hurting mommy!
Laughing……
Hi friend
Your living my Bucket List! Good for you, fresh air, salt and nature of from of your eyes is a miracle of life.
Xx M
Awww, I hope you fulfill every item on your bucket list, and the extra ones you add as you start ticking them off! <3
Cindy, dear friend, I very much appreciate your speaking out about the dangers we face with a Trump administration. Your bravery has not gone unnoticed. 💖 And it goes without saying how much I appreciate your beautiful photography … 💖
You are a light in my life Tina! Thank you for your kindness & thoughtfulness and I so look forward to sharing 2017 with you! <3 <3
The feeling is mutual, Cindy 💖
I love turtles and feel so badly for their precarious livelihood. Your post and photos made me smile! 💜I didn’t know there wasn’t wildlife refuge there…will have to put that on my to-visit list!
Don’t expect a lot of bells and whistles. It is a very small operation. The 🐢🐢 and I thank you for your support! <3
Wonderful post, Cindy, as always! Beautiful creatures, and as you say, all living creatures are important to our planet and the biodiversity. In Scandinavia we are absolutely terrified of what Trump might destroy…It is not only America…it is concerning the whole world. We were overjoyed when Meryl Streep spoke out and so many other celebrities do. Now we are waiting for the interviews with his new “crew”. His taking over will be a disastrous blow to nature and environmental restoring and preserving. Anyway – I love your speaking out and standing up for nature. We all must. ♥♥♥
Trump’s impact will affect the entire planet. He has already stated his intentions regarding the environment:
http://time.com/4349309/donald-trump-bismarck-energy-speech/
These are darkening days ahead for all of us. I wonder if we will be more effective in resistance than we were in WWII.
Give it a try.
That is all we can do isn’t it!
I love these pictures. Thanks for taking them and telling us about the turtles. They’re really something.
I love you for loving the 🐢🐢🐢! <3
Turtles, turtles rah, rah, rah! Oh, I love turtles. And I am talking about the real ones. Not those sickly sweet chocolate variety. These gentle giants are beautiful. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to slaughter them. Thanks for these awesome pictures, Cindy!
We need more people like you in the world Lydia. The 🐢🐢🐢 and I thank you my friend and send cheers to you! <3
😀
Reblogged this on Breeze of Optimism and commented:
There is a folk story about a sea turtle in Japan.
A fisherman, Taro, one day saved a Sea Turtle from a group of naughty children and released it back to the sea.
Some time after, a turtle appeared before Taro, thanked him for saving its life, and wished to invite him to visit an underwater paradise. Turtle took Taro on its back, and it turns into a beautiful woman as they arrived at the paradise. Taro spent some time at the paradise, which was all about pleasure and luxury, however he eventually asked the woman if she would take him back to the shore; that he needed to go home. She gave Taro a box of gift, and made Taro promise never to open the box.
Upon return, Taro realises that he had been gone for hundreds of years and he no longer knew a person in his old fishing village. He desperately looked for any familiarity, and finally, could not resist opening the box . When he opened to look inside the box, all it came out was smoke. And the smoke turned Taro into a very old man.
On behalf of the 🐢🐢🐢🐢, and myself, sincere gratitude Maiko for your kindness and your advocacy. Be well my friend~ <3
💜💚💛🐢🐢🐢💜💛
Who wouldn’t swim with such thrilling joy in such clean waters – beautiful shots Cindy. Love them absolutely <3
And I love you for it! Cheers to you my friend~ <3
alles Gute für Heute trotz Sturm und Schnee über Deutschland und bei euch?
Ja. Wir haben einer langen Dürre in Kalifornien. Es regnet gerade. Das ist sehr gut fur uns. Wir sind Anfang April wieder in Deutschland und freuen uns darauf. Prost zu dir mein lieber Freund ~
They are indeed large turtles. When in Maui, I had the opportunity to swim with these guys. They would come right up underneath me and swim along. Turtles swim much faster than they walk. LOL. They can be very playful.
They are wonderful to swim with aren’t they! So graceful and powerful in the water and you noticed their curiosity and interactiveness. So happy you had this experience!
Dear Cindi, I love this big guy.. off to share him on my sherris sharing.. so sorry have been gone so long.. sweet friend
Sherri
Hope all is well with you Sherri & thank you for your thoughtfulness! Look forward to spending 2017 with you my friend~ <3
Reblogged this on and commented:
he is great…
The 🐢🐢🐢 and I are very grateful Sherri! <3
Cindy – You do know how to ask the hard questions don’t you? I’ve been for protecting the environment and all endangered species before we even had an agency that’s supposedly doing such a thing. However, like most agencies, it’s run by a group of contractors who get paid rather they do anything or not or know anything or not.
I’m picking my battles one at a time this year, but picking them, I am. Needless to say, I’m after healthcare first but what’s good health without the appropriate atmosphere to live in and therefore our need for these majestic sea turtles you’ve so aptly brought to our attention.
I’ve had enough of a do nothing government so let’s see if the DC swamp can be drained. It looks to me like the cabinet posts are being filled by more of the same! It’s no surprise to me it took so long to fill the Secretary of the VA position. No one wanted the position. Happy New Year my magical lady.
At least we have the otters back in your beloved Carmel and Monterey. We are heading up to see the elephant seals and California Condors in Big Sur as soon as the rain clears. (Yay for the rain! Poor California needed it so!) There has been progress on vulnerable species protections with these species as examples. Otters were extinct throughout my lifetime in the state until Monterey Aquarium re-introduced them, and the elephant seals were practically non-existent. Now we have breeding colonies of both. California Condors are another success story, saved from the brink in the state, thanks to the Condor Restoration Program. Bald Eagles are back too, thanks to the efforts of The Channel Islands Bald Eagle Restoration Project. There is still so much more though that needs to be done and whatever we do we cannot go backwards and remove protections for vulnerable species and habitats. You fight for healthcare Sherri and I’ll fight for this, and we can support each others efforts in the process. Hugs to you my friend~ <3
Cindy, Thank you for helping save all that makes Monterey/Carmel magical. Without the living sea creatures you mention above, we wouldn’t have the magic that makes the Central Coast what it is. I often here the Sea Lions bark in my dreams. Working on Fort Ord, I could walk out the back door of my office and listen to them bark. On Pier II there’s a restaurant made from a hulled out ship [Sandollar or something along that line – best Rebeun in Monterey] and you could look out your window and watch the sea lions and otters playing. I think I here Heaven calling my name. I pray Tom will heal enough to make 1 more trip to the area but I just don’t know. I will return!
Goregous captures of the turtles, Cindy. They are so cute and look so friendly, I’d love to swim with them. <3
Thank you for sharing the interesting narrative, dear friend! 🙂
They are pretty magical to swim with. So gentle, so graceful and so BIG!!! I appreciate knowing you Dina and value the thoughtful way you visit me. Be well my friend~ <3
Beautiful post Cindy <3
Muchas gracias mi amiga~
Reblogged this on Still Another Photoblog.
The 🐢🐢🐢 and I are grateful to you my friend! Cheers & thank you~
You are welcome!
<3
You are welcome!
What curious animals– why do they seem old and smart?? Looks like they live in a comfortable setting. Thanks for giving us a peek Cindy with your always awesome photography!!
They do seem both old and smart! Maybe it is because they are an ancient species and carry the wisdom of the ages! 🐢🐢
And because they move slowly and deliberately?? In any care– wonderful photos like always Cindy!! xox
Turtley true! 🐢
ha ha ha!
As a non-American it is not up to me to criticize your president to be – even if I try to follow the news there and here… but somehow I do wish someone would just ‘magic’ him away… :-/
Lovely photos! And lovely animals!… 🙂
“Magic him away!” I like that and you do have a right to speak up because you are a citizen of the world and his actions will affect all of us on this planet. <3
That’s what we are all afraid of, arent we?…
<3
Yes.
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Amazing photographs of Green Sea Turtles in San Diego.. having survived hundreds of thousands of years man is doing his best to make them extinct.. Great that there are still places they are safe.. Cindy Knoke with yet another compelling post.. wonderful
You are the most consistently thoughtful and generous blogger Sally. The 🐢🐢🐢 and I love and are grateful for you! <3
That gives me great pleasure Cindy.. your friendships is very important. ♥
<3 <3
Bonjour ou Bonsoir ★* *★ CINDY joli la faune aquatique
Ce jour
J’écoute Le Vent
Me souffler des mots puissants et attachants
A mon oreille il est venu me murmurer
Des élans d’amitié avec des envies de liberté
Me dire combien notre amitié compte entre toi et moi
Une Amitié avec un grand A
je te souhaite une excellente journée ou soirée’
Une douce belle journée si je suis de journée
Ou une tendre nuit si mon passage est du soir
Gros bisous
http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/935239jeune.gif
Bernard
Merci beaucoup mon ami Bernard. Bonne journee!
The pictures are incredible. Did you take them? Trump’s philosophy on the environment and global warming, as in other areas, is seriously concerning. Who knows where we’ll be headed in the next four years? Troubling. Happy New Year. Smiles xx
Well we certainly will find out. There are a lot of checks and balances built into the system which hopefully will work as they should, but you are right, it is seriously concerning. I did take the photos and I am glad you enjoyed them and am pleased to meet you~
You are an amazing photographer, Cindy!
You are very kind. <3
Cindy, you have captured the personalities of these turtles so well! I especially love the expression of the one who is raising his/her ‘arms’ in victory that a talented photographer like you has photographed them!
Smiling at such a creative & sweet comment! Thank you so much & cheers to you~
Amazing photos. It’s almost as though they’re posing for you! <3
I think they were! Smart 🐢🐢!
Lol 🙂
I photographed turtle nests last summer in St George Island FL. Volunteers were protecting them. Great post
I have seen the nests, but never the hatching. I would love to see the hatching! 🐢
Worrying times protecting beautiful creatures such as these shouldn’t be a question it should be a certainty. Lovely photos Cindy you are so talented. 🙂
I so agree that protecting all creatures great and small should be “certainty!” Thank you Marje for your kind, thoughtfulness~ 🐢🐢
Very beautiful pictures of beautiful creatures, Cindy. It looks like Mr Turtle is dancing for you. Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend 🙂 <3
They were dancing 🐢🐢! Love this imagery! <3
They are indeed magnificent, Cindy. I hope they will be safe from harm. A very interesting post.
The 🐢🐢 and I thank you Cynthia & cheers to you my friend~