Tuesday, January 21, 2014

That Road Trip

Playa Junquillal 1

Our intention was to see several of the less visited beaches to the south of Tamarindo.  We made it as far as Playa Junquillal, the nearest. Although not that far away, the road access is worse, there is little population and the area has a remote feel.

The sea turtles we call leatherbacks lay their eggs here, as with Playa Grande just north of Tamarindo. It is an endangered species and their eggs are always at risk. The local children find them in the open beach and bring them to this area where the eggs are protected and nurtured. It's a a labor of love.                              

Playa Junquillal 2

Playa Junquillal 3

Playa Junquillal 4

Playa Junquillal 5

8 comments:

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

You have once again used your time in our condo to explore an area that I have not visited.

It is a good that they are actively preserving the leatherback tortoise eggs. Julie one time did a n excursion to watch turtle egg laying at Playa Grande. A park ranger took a small group out at night, they had red lights so they would not deter the turtles, and they spent 4 hours or so waiting for turtles to come onto the beach.

They did not see any turtles, but Julie enjoyed watching the fire flies.

Nathalie H.D. said...

Congratulations for getting around more than Dave ever did! :)))

I'm really enjoying seeing these photos of the turtle nesting area protection set-up. My mom sent me last week some distressing photos of local people of Costa Rica digging out turtle eggs and walking away carrying bagful after bagful of them. Then I checked the information and it appears that these people were actually allowed for the first 36 hours of the turtles' arrival to pick the eggs for selling them or for their own consumption but that was in return for their active cooperation in protecting the nesting areas and newly hatched babies when they came out. The amount they collected represented only 1% of the total eggs laid and the arrangement was a win-win deal where the locals were actively involved in protecting nature.

What you're saying and showing, while a bit different, seems quite similar in spirit. Can you confirm this ?

Pat said...

I am touched and very pleased that the children help save the turtles. I am a big, big turtle fan.

Luis Gomez said...

Great post Bob.

William Kendall said...

It is good to know the locals are invested in doing this.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

A very encouraging post.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

A very encouraging post.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

It's wonderful to think that these young people are the conservationists of the future Bob....