Loggerhead Sea Turtle Sighted on Fripp Island Under the Full Strawberry Moon

A magical moment was captured on June 21 when a loggerhead sea turtle was sighted on Fripp Island, under the ethereal light of what is known as the Full Strawberry Moon. It was heading back to the ocean after laying what is the 42nd nest of the season at 8:56 p.m.

The turtle had ventured ashore to continue its species at a time when the moon was at its fullest, emanating a silvery luminescence that only added to the inspiriting spectacle of life and nature at its most candid and powerful.

A Regular Yet Momentous Occurrence

While it is a habitual occurrence in the lifecycle of sea turtles to come ashore for nesting purposes, this does not make the spectacle any less remarkable. This moment holds deep significance not only due to the struggle of survival these species face, but also the awe-inspiring demonstration of nature’s cycle of life.

The Full Strawberry Moon

For those unfamiliar with the term, the Full Strawberry Moon represents the first full moon of the summer, named so by the Algonquin tribes who used this phase of the moon as a signal to start gathering ripening strawberries. It is a time generally associated with the renewal of life, marking the transition from spring to summer.

Local Wildlife Photography Documenting the Moment

The sight was documented by Paige Bouy, a local resident who captured the event on camera. The photograph brilliantly encapsulates the turtle’s crawl back to the open ocean after it had successfully laid its eggs. This visual reminder not only keeps us in touch with our surrounding wildlife, but also serves as a crucial medium to raise awareness about the need for their conservation.

Alligator Holds Up Fripp Island Traffic

In another unusual but invigorating local wildlife occurrence on Fripp Island, an alligator was sighted interrupting the road traffic. Captured by Mark Bouy, the spectacle once again brings us face to face with the commanding presence of wildlife in the midst of our modern landscapes.

Beaufort’s Beautiful Beginnings

Further emphasizing the serene beauty of the region, another local resident, Daniel D’Orazio, captured the mesmerizing views of the sunrise from Hunting Island at approximately 5:30 a.m., providing spectators with a refreshing start to their Saturday.

A Need for Conscious Co-existence

These occurrences serve as gentle reminders of the imperative role of wildlife in our ecosystem. As citizens of Beaufort, it is our duty to appreciate, respect, and coexist consciously with these magnificent creatures. The existence of these species, the loggerhead sea turtle, and the alligator, amid us, continues to remind us of our shared habitat and our responsibilities as part of the interconnected web that is our environment.

Help Capture More Moments

If you have had the privilege to witness similar moments of wildlife in our region, we encourage you to share high-resolution photos, including a description and a note of the people involved. You can send your photos to theislandnews@gmail.com. Let’s work together to capture these precious moments so we can share them with future generations.