Is it possible to see anything more precious than a boil of sea turtle babies? When I first started walking with Share the Beach, I had never seen a boil happen. They truly do look like they are boiling up out of the sand. Each baby frantically climbing over the next in a frantic effort to reach the sea and hopefully safety.
Share the Beach was started a long time ago, over 20 years and counting! It was started when a local that loved the turtles noticed they were going toward the lights of the houses and businesses in Gulf Shores. So many babies lost in the dunes, unable to get to the sea because they were confused by the lights. So many babies run over by cars that did not see them in time. Tired of seeing the destruction of life a group of people started Share the Beach.
Volunteers now patrol 47 miles of beach every morning from May 1st through the end of August. They look for nests or activity of turtles, possibly signifying a nest. If an area looks promising, they carefully dig the nest up, leaving it if it is above the high tide line. If not above the high tide line, the eggs are carefully moved one by one into a bucket, counted carefully, then reburied further up the beach. Then nest is then covered with a screen, and sand placed over the top. The screen helps prevent foxes, dogs, raccoons, coyotes, and sometimes humans from accessing the nest. There is a perimeter placed around the immediate area, then a larger perimeter is established. It is a federal offense to disturb a nest. All nests that are found are carefully monitored, then the waiting begins. Towards hatching time, you will see a large group of people waiting and listening for the boil. It really is a sight to see. The monitors make sure the babies don't turn toward lights away from the sea. I've even been part of a group holding beach towels up along the track to shade them. If they insist on going the wrong way, they are carefully put into a bucket taxi and gently put into the sea and on their way.
Why go to all this trouble?
Most sea turtle nests have an average of about 100-120 eggs. Only ONE of those babies may survive into adulthood and produce more. Adulthood is over 30 years old. Scavengers, birds, fish, and other sea creatures may attack them on their way to the sargassum grass beds where they grow until older. Each nest is important as well as each baby.
The Eastern seaboard is having a banner year this year, with many turtles coming in for nesting. This year, our own Orange Beach team has FOUR so far! An amazing testimony to the hard work of all involved on our beaches from Orange Beach to Fort Morgan and Dauphin island. Our future babies indeed!
Our future babies, Acrylic on canvas 6 x 24inches
Day 2 of the 100 days~100 paintings 2026
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