Sea Turtle season comes to an end
A loggerhead sea turtle nest sits in the dunes on the Okaloosa Island range Aug. 8 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Female sea turtles nest on Eglin’s beach ranges every summer between May 1st and August 31st. Approximately 1,700 sea turtle hatchling emerged from their nests this year. Kemp’s ridley, Green and Loggerheads nests, three of the threatened or endangered sea turtle species’ nests were discovered on Eglin’s reservation this year. Each year, Jackson Guard’s sea turtle patrol volunteers monitor and survey sea turtle nesting activity to ensure the mission does not impact the endangered species in compliance with the Endangered Species Act. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)