Yesterday night I had my first night shift, from 9:00 pm to 3:00 am, which is apparently a short and easy night.

After taking a short siesta after supper, (which ended up being me reading the depressing novel Sarah's Key), I got dressed in my all black clothes and my borrowed crocs and met the team leader the kitchen. For turtle patrol, dressing in all black is essential. Luckily I happened to pack dark hiking pants, an unusual amount of socks for a Central American adventure, and a dark hiking top. It is almost as if I packed for the Biological Station before I knew I was coming.

There was only three of us on the beach last night, because a lot of the other patrollers were sick. The hardest part for me was adjusting my eyes to the dark. There is so much noise with the constant waves, and stumbling in the water. I followed the two young turtle veterans along the beach for the entire night, switching my gaze to a star splattered sky, then to the tree littered beach trying to save myself from falling.

We saw one turtle sifting around in the sand trying to find a good spot for a nest, but eventually she decided that she didn't like the spot so she headed back to sea. Her tracks were giant, like two tractor tires side by side. Hopefully night I get to do some turtle midwifery and catch some eggs :)

We got home at 3 in the morning, covered in sand, sea water and rain. It was quite the experience, but I hope we see more nesting tonight.

Pura Vida <3

P.S. No pictures allowed because the flash (and any light) scares and confuses the turtle.