There are a lot of fun aspects to being a writer.
There are some not so fun ones as well. Learning how to format books and marketing come to mind.
But let's get back to the fun ones, because that's more. . .fun.
And let's talk about a super-duper fun one that involves sea turtles and other creatures, because turtles are the ultimate in fun.
A friend and I visited the Florida Oceanographic Society in Stuart, Florida as part of my research for my next cozy mystery, Bodies in the Boatyard. One of the characters is a marine biologist specializing in {drum roll, please} sea turtles!
We had a blast and we learned stuff too. We also sweated a lot because it's freaking hot in Florida in the summer, but it was worth it.
Here, let me show you how awesome it was.
First off, we fed stingrays. I have to confess that I made a little yelping sound when the ray swam over my hand and ate the piece of fish I was holding between my fingers.
I love how the girl on the left is wearing a top with sharks on it. Perfect fashion choice for this place.
We got to see baby sea horses. So adorable!
We went for a walk out to the beach. Because I'm not too bothered by snakes (which may surprise some of you), I was in charge of keeping an eye out for any slithering across the path.
While looking at the water is pretty, being out in the Florida sun is torture in the summer.
Did you know that oysters can help purify polluted waters? Volunteers collect shells from local restaurants, put them in bags, and place them back in the water in strategic locations to create artificial reefs and clean the bad stuff out of the water.
And of course there were sea turtles - four of them, in fact. Turtwig, Lily, Hank, and Anna Belle, all swimming around in a large salt water lagoon along with sharks and big game fish. These turtles can't be relocated to the wild and are happily living out their lives at the oceanographic society.
Do you like sea turtles? What's your favorite marine wildlife?
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I didn't know that about oyster shells. They should all go back in the water then.
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty neat to learn that.
DeleteLove it! My husband and I go to a local aquarium/rehab and rescue place all the time, and I'm always torn on my favorite exhibit - the sea turtles? the sea horses? the manatees? the dolphins? Good thing I don't have to choose - I can just enjoy them all. :)
ReplyDeleteI thought you might like this one. :-)
DeleteThank you for sharing your delightful adventure. Sea turtles are so cool.
ReplyDeleteThey are very cool :-)
DeleteSea turtles are so cute, how can one not love them? It looks like you had a wonderful day...and that with research too! Thanks for sharing all of the pictures.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very fun outing.
DeleteWe do love the sea turtles, i look for signs of the nests every year when we are in Florida.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that they come back to the same spot they were born to nest.
DeleteLove all the pics! The sea turtles are cool (and cute)! That's very interesting about the oyster shells, too. I had no idea!
ReplyDeleteI was fascinated by the oysters.
DeleteOf course I love sea turtles! Especially the tiny ones, when they're making those cute wobbly trips to get to the water. And the big lumbering ones, too. What's not to love?
ReplyDeleteThe little ones are adorable. I have some friends who have taken great pictures of the baby ones.
DeleteLove sea turtles. They are so elusive in the wild.
ReplyDeleteTurtwig!
"Turtwig (Japanese: ナエトル Naetle) is a Grass-type Pokémon introduced in Generation IV. It evolves into Grotle starting at level 18, which evolves into Torterra starting at level 32."
You should google him/her (are Pokémons hes or shes?), he/she is super cute!
You know so many interesting things! I'm off to google this one.
DeleteI love sea turtles! What a great adventure. Thanks for sharing your pics.
ReplyDeleteIt would be impossible to pick one favourite for marine wildlife, but both seahorses and sea turtles are amazing creatures. Dolphins, whales, rays, octopi...there's so many.
I agree - it's hard to pick just one, they're all pretty amazing. Except kraken - they're just scary.
DeleteSea turtles are awesome! Love these pictures. Thanks for sharing your adventures with us. And cool about the oyster shells.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it :-)
DeleteThat sounds like a fun day! Minus the hot, of course. Hope you learned all you needed to for your book!
ReplyDeleteI had a lot of fun writing the scene where they visit a turtle sanctuary.
DeleteI love the motion of rays, like a drifting handkerchief. So I'd have to call them my favorite. Turtles, though, a close second.
ReplyDeleteDrifting handkerchiefs - what a great description of them.
DeleteI am sure that I have visited this place before as my brother lives in Stuart, however I cannot quite remember it!
ReplyDeleteGetting old I guess.
I had to laugh when you mentioned how hot it is here during the summer. I die in this weather.
I guess I thought living on a boat would acclimate you to this hellish sweat hole....lol!!
I think I need to visit my brother....it has been awhile since I've seen him and maybe I will take the kids to this super cool looking place.
- Lisa
Ah, but we have AC on our boat while we're at the dock. Makes all the difference in the world.
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