THE FIRST JOURNEY

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THE FIRST JOURNEY
Photo Information
Copyright: Sumon Sinha (Mana) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1687 W: 20 N: 4738] (15476)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-04-29
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC-H2
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/100 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Haraprasan's Favs, Selen's Favorites II, Gems from India part 2 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-05 1:44
Viewed: 688
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 118
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Recently I and Satyabrata (our TN member) went to Rusikulya basin to see the Olive Ridley hatchlings go out to the see. It was an exciting experience and we saw thousands and thousands of this tiny hatchlings walking back to the sea. In fact these small ones prefer to emerge from the eggs, dug deep inside the sand, at night and following the moonlight start trudling to the sea. Hence we reached there around midnight and saw the phenomenon throughtout the night al the time being careful of not trampling on them. Interestingly our torchlight made them confused too and they started walking back to us whenever to lit it. Oh...it was such an exhilirating experience save for the trauma of being bitten all over by mosquitoes, howling dogs, excessive sweating from untolerable humidity and the stench of country liquor filling the air coming from the nearby fishing village.

I start a mini series now of these hatchlings moving away from lizards. This image is of a young one on wet sand moving onto the sea in the early hours. The golden light gives a fine effect. Shot taken hand held. Hope everyone like.

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The Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) is one of the smallest species of sea turtle. It is named for the olive color of its heart-shaped shell. These lightly-built turtles have an average weight just over 100 lb (up to 50 kg.). They have a high-domed shell, with a carapace length of only 27 inches (70 cm). The carapace is made up of five pairs of costal scutes, with occurrences of up to 6 to 9 divisions per side. The margins are smooth. The carapace is a dark olive green in color with a yellowish underside. The head is large. It is usually found in the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The common name in Spanish is tortuga golfina o del golfo.

The beaches of Orissa, India provide one of the last nesting grounds of the Olive Ridley turtles in the world. In addition, trawling and offshore drilling for oil and gas has been blamed for the death of more than 100,000 Olive Ridley turtles, which have washed ashore in the last ten years. Though listed by the US Endangered Species Act, populations in the Atlantic Ocean continue to dwindle, while the populations found in areas around the Pacific Ocean seem to be on the rise. Furthermore, their ability to reproduce in the Red Sea was thought impossible, however, recent evidence suggests that they do indeed hatch in Eritrea amongst other places in the Red Sea.

Nesting turtles that are found are protected from the dogs, and the nests dug up after & relocated to a hatchery. This saves the eggs from predation from dogs, crabs, seagulls, etc. Once the hatchlings emerge, volunteers again help steer the little ones towards the beckoning waves of the Bay of Bengal. It is believed that Olive Ridley turtles return to nest on the same beach they are hatched. If this is the case, then on these beaches where efforts are made to protect the eggs and hatchlings there should be rises in the numbers returning to nest in future.

Olive Ridleys are omnivorous, feeding on crabs, shrimp, rock lobsters, sea grasses, algae, snails, fish, sessile, pelagic tunocates and small invertebrates. They are sometimes seen feeding on jellyfish in shallow waters. These turtles forage offshore in surface waters and can dive to depths of at least 150 meters (500 feet).

Commercial trawling has been shown to disrupt and kill Olive Ridleys in India. The turtles are caught in the trawler’s nets being dragged far behind the boats. Unable to surface, the turtles suffocate and drown. Some other threats are the poaching of turtle eggs, construction on beaches, and pollution.

Scientific classification -
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Cheloniidae
Genus: Lepidochelys
Species: L. olivacea
gracious, PaulH, ramthakur, cicindela, Heaven, robgra, haraprasan, mariki, eng55, gannu, boreocypriensis, eqshannon, matatur, nglen, jaycee, Alex99, PaulGana, Argus, uleko, vanderschelden, jmp, Hil, pekkavalo1, maurydv, marhowie, Jamesp, smitha, SelenE, JPlumb, flashpoint, John_F_Kennedy, Maite, Luis52, Necipp, jusninasirun, jazdzurka, hester, Ken52, kmr13777, rkailas, lovenature has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To rkailas: Thanks !!Mana 1 05-18 09:13
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello my best mate Sumon,
Many thanks for sharing this awesome image of the smallest turtle!
the image also in total sharpness, good colour and perfect details
I especailly liked the lighting here, so beautiful!
my respected nature photographer!
friend from NZ
tony

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 981 W: 17 N: 2563] (9450)
  • [2008-05-05 1:53]

Hi Sumon,
you are my neighbour today :o) Superb shot of this baby Turtle, and what an experience to watch them taking their first steps in life. I love the light relfecting on this little ones shell and the detail is fantastic in both creature and sand. Great job, well done.
Paul

Hi mana Da.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful portrait of this tiny visitor.Yeh I do enjoyed your company on that night out and really what an experience.I like the image very much.

Satya

You are doing truly fantastic work on varied themes, Sumon.
This one of watching these cute creatures making it to the sea in company with Satya is a prize capture, indeed.
The perspective from the top shows the turtle in great details and the golden sands provide a natural but very attractive BG.
The one side of the turtle's back bathered in mellow light is the best feature of this superb capture.
Well done and TFS.
Ram

Hello Sumon!
What a capture! So small turtle and so cute one! :) I like POV and details, it looks really beautiful!
Bravo also for notes, a lot of interesting data are included in them :)
Best regards,
Radomir

Hi Sumon!

What a picture, and what notes! You do an incredible work! The picture is marvellous and the colours are superb. I'm also impressed by its clarity and sharpness. Together with your highly interesting and instructive notes this is a very valuable posting!

Kind regards

Markus

Hi Sumon
It waits this tortoise's small long and dangerous road till adulthood, very good sharpness and exposition
I greet Robert

Hi Sumon Da,
A nice capture of this beautiful olive ridley. Gosh! wish I was with you and Satya Babu. Excellent capture of this tiny one about to begin its journey. Sharp details and excellent composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Hello Sumon,

Very nice sharp picture of this little turtle. Great composition. I like the light and the colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 339 W: 3 N: 371] (1095)
  • [2008-05-05 4:38]

Hi Sumon,
Excellent capture.Sharpness,warm lighting,cross framing are wonderful.Well seen and composed.
Thanks for posting!

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 729 W: 4 N: 1811] (8608)
  • [2008-05-05 5:01]

Hello Sumonda, How lucky you are to see this superb one. However we had some how the same subject i.e sea. nice posting. Clear view. Ganesh

A lovely shot, Dada.Very well seen and captured..Goldy

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2072 W: 6 N: 1848] (12716)
  • [2008-05-05 6:19]

Hola amigo,
preciosa captura y oportuno momento,
excelente trabajo,
saludos Sumon

Hi Sumon, lovely small turtle with splendid details, great sharpness, beautiful light and good colors, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hi Sumon,
Another splendid capture of a beutifull reptile species. The vertebral keels which are characteristics of the Lepidochelys are distinct. Your notes are excellent as usual. TFS for this beauty my friend.
Cheers,

Bayram

I have seen this phenomenon on TV perhaps National Geographic which I watch from time to time..It is quite the show on video...but to see it in person must be dynamically more to the eye....You have not only captured the tulle, but tech event...and so well noted!
Bob

Hello Sumon,
As usual an excellent photo. Fantastic sharp details and splendid colours. Very beautiful light. Great composition. Look forward to the next one.
Regards,
Peter

Hi Sumon,you're lucky to found that and very great to take a pic so perfectly,very excellent work and interesting note too,my best compliments,Luciano

Aaah, what a fine capture of an olive ridley hatchling during its initial march towards the sea Sumon, the slanting sunlight perfectly displays the scalations and the characteristic carapacial plates, thanks to your good focus and exposure. TFS indeed my friend.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1864 W: 2 N: 4738] (18250)
  • [2008-05-05 9:23]

Hi Sumon. I hope you are well my friend. This is a good close up of this little cute Turtle. You have captured all the detail in the little shell. You sharp focus even shows the grains of sand. well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • san Silver Note Writer [C: 2 W: 0 N: 20] (134)
  • [2008-05-05 9:39]

Sumon Sir,
Thanks for bringing to view something I have never seen before, a new born turle. I am sure, you would have enjoyed clicking them away.
The colours are so beautiful! TFS
San

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1675 W: 8 N: 4022] (13255)
  • [2008-05-05 9:53]

Hi Sumon,

Bravo!! Everything about this little Turtle is perfect. He looks like you picked him up and laid him in just the right position. Superb details - the head, shell, arms and legs are as sharp and clear as if we were looking at the live thing and not a photo. Colors are excellent. I have seen this phenomeon once - I believe on an island - perhaps Aruba. It is a marvel to see and I can't tell you how much I look forward to your series.

Jane

Bonsoir Sumon,
encore une belle photo,
les tortues en France sont protégées. Et On n'en croise pas souvent.
Merci
Laurent

Excelente luz y fondo empleado. Hoy voy con prisas. Sorry.
Un abrazo: J. Ignasi

great shot, ncice colors

very good close up, TFS Ori

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2416 W: 132 N: 6653] (20877)
  • [2008-05-05 11:10]

Hello Sumon,
Superb capture of a young Olive Ridley Turtle on its way to the sea on the wet sand. Great lighting and sharpness and the Dorsal POV on the pristine sand is excellent.
Nice one, excellent note and thanks for sharing both,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2297 W: 163 N: 6694] (21146)
  • [2008-05-05 11:42]

Hello Sumon,
This event must have been fascinating to observe! I've seen films of when these little ones scurry along the sand to the water. This is a very fine sharp capture of this one in fine light on the brown sand. Excellent sharp details and fine colours too.
Well done!
Many thanks, Ulla

Well done, Sumon.
I do like the diagonal line in the compo as well as your POV and DOF.
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • pvs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1133 W: 259 N: 2406] (10803)
  • [2008-05-05 12:01]

Hi Sumon,

A nice capture with very nice satured colors,I hope you had the possibilities to captur it as well with a lower POV,anyway I like this one a lot it shows the details of the shield clearly,tfs

Paul

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1898 W: 94 N: 2375] (8394)
  • [2008-05-05 12:13]

Hi Sumon,
Perfect light to show this small turtle. Perfect colours, details and composition.
TFS, José M.

Fine photograph of am interesting nocturnal turtle behavior. It shows exceptional fine turtle detail on the newborn turtles.

Exceptional story and note on these animals. Thanks!

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 782 W: 11 N: 1380] (4759)
  • [2008-05-05 12:39]

Hi Sumon,

What a wonderful phenomenon to experience and its so nice for you to share it with us, sorry about all the mossy bites though!.
Very nicely composed with excellent details on the whole image.
Superb light and colours too.

Hil

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1555 W: 233 N: 5091] (17959)
  • [2008-05-05 13:27]

Sumon, this is exceptional!!!
This little guy looks so fresh and new!
I love how they make their way down to the sea as soon as they hatch... you are incredibly lucky to be able to se this spectacle! I've only seen it on the TV!
Sharp with loads of detail and excellent clarity.
Perfect composition and parallel POV.
Lovely warm colours.
Superb photography from you my friend!
Well done!

Joe

Hi Sumon,

Very good capture of a baby turtle on its first journey. Good composition, sharpness of details.

TFS

Pekka

Stupenda immagine, eccellente composizione, straordinaria nitidezza e perfetta "texture", magnifici i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1223 W: 0 N: 4449] (13290)
  • [2008-05-05 23:14]

Hi Sumon

A great close-up shot - good composition and POV with good colour and superb detail. Well observed and captured.

Just back from Ireland - sorry missed some postings.

James

  • Great 
  • smitha Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 296 W: 79 N: 899] (3409)
  • [2008-05-05 23:52]

Hello Sumon,
What a cute little baby turtle! It's amazing the way they find their way back to the ocean, right? It must have been a very thrilling experience for you to watch their progress.:)
This is a beautiful capture taken at a lovely point of view with good sharpness and details. Excellent lighting. The sun kissed baby turtle on the golden sand looks adorable.
Excellent composition.Waiting to see more from this series,
TFS,
Smitha.

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2935 W: 142 N: 4217] (13775)
  • [2008-05-06 0:28]

Hi Sumon.
I saw such scene on TV a lot but I see such picture firstly. Amazing shot with great colours and details. Bravo.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2337 W: 59 N: 4094] (13345)
  • [2008-05-06 0:41]

Hi Sumon,
How cute and beautiful... A very special photo. Thanks for sharing this :o)
Greetings,
Selen

Sumon, this would be so cool to see. I'm glad you got this shot, and spent the night there so you can tell us about it. You have to be our eyes on this one. This is a great shot of this little one, with great textures seen on the turtle and sand. I like especially how we can see him pushing off against the sand on his trek to the ocean.

Thanks, John

Hola Sumon, excelente nitidez y detalle.

  • Great 
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 505 W: 8 N: 1023] (3786)
  • [2008-05-06 11:35]

Hello Sumon,

Very nice baby turtle, I have never seem one before.
The picture is well composed and very clear, great
colors and sharpness.. Well done

Everton

ciao Sumon,
an image that does lover still of more the nature, an important moment for the smallest turtle and then the sea. .....compliments for the beauty of this capture.

take a care sERGIO

Ohhh, so cute shot of this splendid little turtle
again an excellent quality shot from you, all is perfect,
a great cheer and many thanks for sharing,
friendly,
Pat

  • Great 
  • darwin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 249 W: 0 N: 447] (1688)
  • [2008-05-06 18:05]

Hi Sumon
Superb details and sharpness
Great close up
Nice light and color
tfs jon

Hello Sumon,
Ahhh, this is an amazing show by nature!
And they are so dedicated in the instinctive behaviour, I can even see motion blur in the right back leg...
A turtle with motion blur at 1/100 sec, hehehe...
Super fine details, a well balanced composition with good diagonal movement!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Nice to see an image of these lovely guy on his first way posted here. Very nice shot.
Best wishes,
Achim

  • Great 
  • Maite Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 982 W: 64 N: 1199] (4856)
  • [2008-05-07 2:00]

Hello Sumon
What a thrilling experience must be to see these little hatchlings going out to the sea from their very birth-places! Even if there were moschitoes and stench. What a great portrait of this lovely little one! Beautiful light and excellent details.
Congratulations and thank you very much for sharing.
Best regards
Maite

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 368 W: 39 N: 654] (2053)
  • [2008-05-07 2:04]

Wow, Sumon, this must have been quite an experience to be there to see them walking back. Great details in this shot, their movement is captured well by the limbs that are in motion and the strip of sand.All that bites and trauma were for nothing but this great presentation and more that you wil hopefully delight us with.
Great effort comrade:)
TFS & Cheers

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1036 W: 5 N: 2728] (9914)
  • [2008-05-07 20:17]

Hola Sr. Sumon.
This is a very interesting document! Some times it is very hard to take a good photo like this time, but it pays by itself. Like the photo, and Your note.
Your friend
Luis52.

Very nice shot Sumon, excellent notes on this too..
Again I say the side light has given a 3D look. Excellent details, color, and comp :)
Well done!
Howard

  • Great 
  • Necipp Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1150 W: 15 N: 2074] (12392)
  • [2008-05-08 15:40]

Hello Sumon, a very cute shot, Lovely detail and superb quality as always from you my best rgds Necip

Hello Sumon. Nicely closed on this turtle which is newly hatched. Nice golden color of the sand and detail from the top. Beautiful shot reaching out for the sea. Well done and best regards. Jusni

Hi Sumon
What a nice picture!
Technically perfect and whole presentation is interesting too.
I've heard about that phenomenon but I haven't seen it (it doesn't happen in Poland).
The light is also nice.
Thanks for sharing
Ania

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1497 W: 18 N: 2924] (10762)
  • [2008-05-09 13:18]

Hi Sumon

This must have been an amazing experience (well apart from the bites!) The light here make the shot. It looks so small and fragile. The details captured are amazing and the shot is well composed. Thanks for sharing this!

Karan

  • Great 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 661 W: 98 N: 1202] (4017)
  • [2008-05-09 19:23]

Amazing detail, light, colors, and textures!

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2726 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-05-16 21:57]

Hello Sumon

This is a lovely capture.The sand makes a perfect backdrop for this shot.
Excellent DOF and POV.
The sharpness and focus is wonderful.
You have placed this wee turtle well in the frame.
TFS

Rob

Hi Sumon

What an outstanding natural history subject! I have always wanted to witness the mass hatching of the turtles, but really dont know how to go about it. I know the season (guess I have to wait until the next year), but place/permits? Any tips would be highly appreciated!

Regards
Ravi

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