December had not arrived yet, but she was not going to wait. At Playa Grande, facing Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island, we found a green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in the middle of nesting, preparing the spot in the sand where she will lay her eggs.
A calendar that shifted
What makes this encounter special is the timing. The green turtle's nesting season usually begins in December, so seeing her this early was a real surprise.
Why did she come early? There is no certain answer yet. One possibility is a link to current sea conditions: this year, nature seems to have moved its calendar forward a little.
A delicate moment
Leaving the sea to nest is one of the most vulnerable moments in a turtle's life. Lights, noise, or people and animals getting too close can frighten her and send her back to the water before she finishes her nest.
If you come across a nesting turtle
- Watch from a distance and keep her path to the sea clear.
- Turn off flashlights and do not use flash photography.
- Stay quiet and do not touch her.
- Remember that pets and bicycles are not allowed on Playa Grande.
All she needs is calm to continue a cycle that has repeated itself in Galápagos for thousands of years. A few minutes of patience on our part are enough to let it run its course.