I came upon a freshly hatched sea turtle nest early one morning in Vero Beach, Fl. There were hundreds of tiny flipper prints leading from the dunes to the water. They looked like small tractor tread imprints on the fine sand. I walked toward the nest to see what it looked like and was shocked to see one little stragler unable to get out and join the others in the water. His back leg was tangled up in the long sea grass and everytime he climbed up he was pulled back down. All the signs posted on the marked nests say it is illegal to touch or interfere with the sea turtles as they are an endangered species. I knew the Sea Turtle Research people would come by as they patrol on ATVs every morning looking for new nests laid in the night as well as any new hatches. I decided to wait and keep watch in case a sand crab, a stray dog, a pelican, or a vulture, tried to harm the turtle. In about a half hour the research person came along and I showed him how the little guy was caught. He carefully dug down and pulled the grass out by the roots and lifted the turtle and grass out then gently untangled him. Fortunately I had my camera and was allowed to snap a picture before the rescuer walked the turtle closer to the water. He put him down about 6 feet from the edge and away he went! It only took about 30 seconds and he was off in the wild blue sea. There are so many predators and other dangers that very few of the thousands of hatchlings reach adulthood, but I like to think "my" little one will beat the odds. Not long after, I was inspired to paint a group of hatchlings on their "maiden voyage". That small painting is on display at the Tropic Art & Frame Gallery in Vero Beach and can also be viewed on my web site www.lindahoganart.com