Fletcher, a juvenile loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), was found cold-stunned, upside-down and below the high water mark on Fisher Beach in Truro on Outer Cape Cod on the morning of 29 November 2008. Discovered by one of the Mass Audubon volunteers who patrol the beaches each fall in search of stranded sea turtles, Fletcher was rushed to the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, stabilized there and then transported to the New England Aquarium for medical treatment.
Fletcher in Rehab at National Marine Life Center in Buzzards Bay
After initial medical care at the aquarium, Fletcher was transferred to the National Marine Life Center for rehabilitation during the long, cold winter. When found hypothermic on the beach in November, Fletcher weighed a little less than 52 pounds. Today, Fletcher approaches 70 pounds and energetically awaits release back into the wild.
Within the next few days, Fletcher will be released off the Mid-Atlantic Coast into the Gulf Stream to resume a sea turtle’s life in the deep blue sea. Today, Fletcher will be equipped with a satellite tracking tag so that this sea turtle’s travels can be plotted and studied by researchers. We hope to monitor Fletcher’s satellite signal in the coming months and report Fletcher’s progress both here and on the National Marine Life Center’s site.
Hermit Crab Awakens on South Wellfleet Tidal Flats
Another hopeful sign of spring is the awakening of hermit crabs within the inter-tidal zone surrounding Lieutenant Island in South Wellfleet. This critter, although entertaining, was not amused by the human interuption of his “Day on the Beach.”
Turtle Journal turns down no challenge, retreats from no obstacle, avoids no risk to life or reputation, in order to gather documentary evidence of natural or even supernatural phenomena for its loyal readers. So, with the same aplomb with which we approach terrapin hatchlings, we launched an expedition to the South Coast of Massachusetts to pursue hazy rumors of creatures descendent from Tyrannosaurus rex roaming loose within Brainard Salt Marsh.
We won’t reveal our source, but Turtle Journal recovered shadowy footage of Tyrannosaurus rex-like creatures prowling the dense woodlands surrounding a freshwater pond within Brainard Marsh, a protected sanctuary of the Sippican Lands Trust. It’s been said that a daring photographer discovered these shadowy predators some time ago, began tracking them stealthily, then found himself their prey as the critters began stalking him in coordinated motions reminiscent of Jurassic Park velociraptors. We make no claim one way or the other, and let the footage speak for itself.
Tyrannosaurus rex Descendents at Brainnard Marsh Pond
The Turtle Journal team visits the Brainard Marsh pond each year in early spring to check on its spotted turtle population. This year we came forewarned and equipped to document rumors of T rex-like critters that had moved into Brainard Marsh. As we approached the pond, we spotted two-legged creatures clearly descendent from the Tyrannosaurus rex lineage. In fact, if we accept the endorsement of Ben Franklin, we might still label these animals T. rex; that is, king turkey!
According to National Geographic, How Dinosaurs Morphed to Turkeys, “Turkeys are descended from predatory dinosaurs called theropods … The T. Rex dinosaur was actually a giant turkey – a new study of ancient proteins retrieved from a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil have confirmed that birds are the closest living relatives to dinosaurs.“
One of a Rafter of Turkeys Taking Refuge in Brainard Marsh
Whether a small modern dinosaur or a large historic bird, the wild turkey is a truly noble animal. Turtle Journal agrees with Ben Franklin that the turkey is an American original whose restoration into the habitat of Southern Massachusetts enriches Nature and our lives. Watching a rafter of turkeys move smoothly and covertly through background thickets creates a singularly profound moment of renewal.
Nesting Osprey in Brainard Marsh
Leaving the turkeys to the solitude of the pond, we strolled further down the path toward the estuary and walked passed an osprey sitting on its nest at the edge of the salt marsh.
Seals Basking in Estuary off Brainard Marsh
Looking to the east, we encountered a pod of seals lazing on exposed rocks in the estuary off Brainard Marsh.  During a fifteen minute stop to check for the emergence of spotted turtles, we had compiled quite a collection of exotic sightings. Now, if the weather would simply warm up enough for turtles to emerge from brumation, we could focus on the journal’s principal focus. But in the mean time, we’ll enjoy whatever Nature allows.
Today on CapeCast: “We head out on an epic adventure to learn all about a mysterious whale skull that was found on Lieutenant Island in Wellfleet. See the video of a possibly fossilized whale skull exhumed from a Wellfleet beach, and decide for yourself. Could it be thousands of years old?
Eric Williams and Jason Kolnos (CapeCast) with Don Lewis
Eric Williams and Jason Kolnos, the energetic team behind the success of the Cape Cod Times CapeCast feature, visited the western shore of Lieutenant Island on Wednesday, March 25th, to investigate the mystery of the “Pilot Whale Graveyard.” Their smooth and professional broadcast is presented in the Turtle Journal posting above or can be viewed in high quality YouTube by clicking on “Pilot Whale Graveyard.”
Jason and Eric Plan Shoot with Don (Center)
But smart people know that a “smooth and professional” shoot takes detailed planning, tons of technical skill and a heckuva lot of plain hard work to make the untidy complexity of scientific exploration in the messy setting of uncontrolled field conditions appear seamless, fun and easy. That’s the hallmark of true professionals like Eric and Jason.
Getting Perfect Angle and Best Sunlight and Shading
Every shot needs to be thought through to present the best, most informative image to the viewer. Brilliant sunshine and long shadows can be your friend or your foe, depending on your preparedness. Like chess, you need to be thinking five and six moves out rather than photographing a “come as you are party.”
Nature Cooperates with Near Perfect Photographic Conditions
Lighting conditions on Wednesday could not have been more beautiful. We reached the site a little after two thirty and had excavated the skull after an hour’s heavy lifting. So, by the time we reached the money shot, long afternoon shadows were pouring in from the bay, creating dramatic images to spotlight the moment.
Jason Kolnos Records Background Audio for Video Voice Over
The most challenging technical aspect of the shoot was audio. Wind whistled down the beach and deafened sounds more than a foot or two from the microphone. Jason recognized the problem from the outset and recorded audio to voice over the action shots. That’s just one example of professional planning that transformed the final product into a smooth, seamless, high quality broadcast.
Watching the raw footage filmed by Turtle Journal cameras from behind the scenes gives you an even more palpable sense of the professional magic brought to the shoot by the CapeCast team. Kudos to Eric Williams and Jason Kolnos of the Cape Cod Times.
