Naturally Kiawah Magazine Volume 37 | Page 15

patrol devotees appear on the beach at dawn so they will not miss a single turtle nest that might need to be relocated . If turtle patrol volunteers are lucky , they may actually see a female turtle still on the beach , heading toward the sea before the sun rises .
On special occasions these folks may witness a parade of turtle hatchlings making their way to the ocean . Volunteers who ride the nesting patrol truck have even encountered an occasional wayward alligator in addition to armies of crabs scurrying to bury themselves when they realize they have been caught by the dawn .
And then there is the sunrise — amazing and never routine , although it really is . People will say there are never any that are exactly alike . The click of the cameras , and then it is morning . As if out of nowhere , the birds flock to the beach , skimming above the surf or meeting at the edge of the waves for their breakfast . Dolphins , too , seem to emerge from the water full of energy to frolic and play and catch a fish or two . Seasoned veterans of the early mornings on Kiawah feel that one who hasn ’ t experienced the sunrise has not felt the true magic of this place .
Photo by Larry Corio
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