Olive Ridley Sea Turtle - Playa la Flor, Nicaragua

It always amazes me when babies are the exact duplicate of the parents right out of the egg like this little Olive Ridley Sea Turtle. This very handsome little turtle was heading for open ocean after we were able to release 180 of the hatchlings at dusk at Playa la Flor..  While in search of birds in Nicaragua, we came across a national run facility for the breeding of Sea Turtles or Tortugas de Marinas. Locals have consumed turtle eggs for as long as they have interacted and have considered it a tradition. With turtles becoming a rare and endangered species, the ministry of environment has sent armed guards to protect the spawning turtles and their eggs as well as put together campaigns to explain the importance of leaving the eggs on the beach. I am hopeful for my grandchildren to see this wonderful spectacle.