The gasp of a loggerhead sea turtle fighting for the surface…

But thanks to my amazing wife Christine, I have also learned that I am a perfectionist… and sometimes the timing is never ideal.  With that said… everyone keeps asking to see some of the images from Mexico.  I wanted to hold off because there’s an important story here that even I didn’t fully comprehend until I was there… seeing the effort, the waste, smelling the smells and witnessing the hope of some incredibly dedicated researchers.

After wrestling the turtle aboard, it is weighed.

Turtle skull on shell… and sadly there’s hundreds more in every direction.

With the important disclaimer that there IS an amazing story and many more interesting images “in the vault” that will be released as soon as I come up for air, I offer up a little taste of what’s to come.  Stay tuned.  And to Hoyt and the team down in Baja… thank you for the opportunity… more is on the way.

Hauling the remains off the beach.

Another stranded turtle is discovered.

Note: wild sea turtles are not happy when caught, and despite the tranquility of this scene… that turtle was mad, and has it’s mouth open to defend itself against foolish photographers who dare come too close.

Once caught, scientists weigh, tag, measure and take blood samples.

About to be released…

The turtle cemetery.  The Mexican government didn’t quite believe researchers when shown evidence that turtles were being killed at such an incredibly high rate.  Mass graves are used to document the numbers of turtles killed.  All these turtles died during my one week visit.

Who says biologists can’t tear it up?

Shark fins drying at a subsistence fishing village.

Those wonderful Mexican smiles…

After 12 hours out on the boat… the fishermen clean their catch for 4 more hours.  Everyday.  (everyday).

Local girl.

“Rodeo” is the act of cruising in a boat at 10 knots until a turtle is spotted, and then jumped on before being wrestled onto the boat for study.  Here’s Hoyt showing All Star Rodeo form.

The release.

The Mexican Press Pool… covering the Governor’s crowning of the Turtle Beauty Queen.  Had to take it!

A Sea Turtle Assignment in Costa Rica a few years back…

    The Loggerhead sea turtles (or caguamas in Spanish) stop in Baja during their migration from Japan and Hawaii to a specific series of “hotspots” in the Mexico. During their time in Baja California Sur, thousands are killed every year accidentally by shark and halibut gill-netting fishermen. The local fishermen are not intentionally killing the turtles but their nets consistently produce a “bykill” of caguamas every year.

I’ll be bobbing around in a small boat about 35km off of Baja California Sur…

    My old college friend, Hoyt Peckham is a PhD candidate studying these populations, and has spearheaded an incredible campaign to educate, inspire and engage local communities to protect these turtles.  Watch Hoyt’s FANTASTIC (and entertaining) short video to get a sense of the problems facing the caguamas and the communities that are rallying to protect them.  Much more to come!

    In addition to making consistent financial contributions to the environmental organizations and community groups we believe in, we also commit one week a year to photographing for the causes that are making a positive difference in this world. If you’re part of an organization, you believe in a cause or you know of a worthy story that could use our help, let us know!