Leatherback turtle nesting at Grande Riviere

We went for an adventure this week. It was a 3 1/2 hour drive up around the northeast corner of Trinidad to Grande Riviere from our apartment just west of Port of Spain.
For a couple of months each spring, leatherback turtles come on shore to lay thier eggs.

There is an interpretive centre and then when it is dark, you head out onto the beach with your turtle watching permit, a guide and your red bulbed flashlight. 

The guide explains the process the turtles follow to dig the proper size hole, laying the eggs, covering them up and then make thier way back to the ocean.

They come under the cover of darkness to avoid the birds who will eat the eggs.

These pictures were taken at dawn when the last of the turtles are just finishing laying eggs before returning to the sea.    

These were the smaller of the turtles ~ 600 lbs.

Some were probably around 900 lbs.

They are impressive creatures.

B.