Sheila is taking a curved carapace length (CCL) measurement of a juvenile Green Sea turtle while netting in St. Joe Bay.

"My internship experience made for the best summer of my life thus far. I have had a relentless and increasing interest in sea turtles that had only been satisfied through my appetite of books about them. I spent my summer fulfilling a long time dream of researching sea turtles as Archie Carr did for his life's career as is documented in his many books describing his travels and work. This internship provided me with exactly the hands-on experience I was hoping for. The first nesting turtle I saw was truly a memory I will have forever.

The experience of participating in sea turtle research has taught me not only the value of learning the biology, but also the value of conservation of these amazing creatures. I experienced the excitement of interacting with these living dinosaurs as I had only read about in Carr's books and others previous to my summer on Cape Blas.  We monitored the small and dwindling population of Loggerheads that nested on the Eglin property on Cape San Blas; which I should mention is the fastest eroding beach in the state of Florida.

I will continue with my quest to pursue sea turtle research and hopefully make even a small difference in their existence."