Introducing the
Leatherback Hatchling
by Geoffrey C. Smith
A new round of Leatherback Hatchling sculptures are back from the foundry, cast in bronze with a traditional brown patina.
5.5"l x 5"w x 1.5"h (Life-Size)
Edition of 48
Geoffrey's Leatherback Story
Years ago my son Mark and I hopped out of bed and were on our boat before daylight. As the sun rose far out in the Atlantic Ocean our small boat cleared the St. Lucie inlet. We were heading south along the coastline scanning the shallow waters off the beach for signs of baitfish. Soon, Mark was winding up and throwing the cast net like an Olympian discus thrower, and our livewell was full.
We paused to watch a pair of snowy egrets work the shoreline and catch their fill of threadfin herring. Guiding the boat further down the beach we found a spot to start doing some fishing of our own. Before we knew it we both caught and released a few nice Snook. While we continued to fish, I noticed all the turtle nests on the beach. I let my mind wonder. I started to think how great it would be to see turtle hatchlings make their maiden voyage into the ocean on this fine day.
As the sun was getting higher in the sky we started to make our way north back up the coastline to the inlet. To my amazement, I spotted about a half dozen turtle hatchlings heading into the surf. Mark continued to captain the boat close to the shore, so I could photograph the turtles making their trek down the beach and disappearing into the foamy surf.
The first thing I noticed while photographing the hatchlings is how big they looked. I assumed I was looking at loggerheads or green sea turtles, since those are the most common in the area. That was until I arrived at my studio later that morning, and we uploaded the photos. To my surprise I had photographed endangered leatherback hatchlings. I felt privileged to have witnessed these first moments of their lives.
Leatherbacks have been on the endangered species list here in the United States since 1970 and are considered on the decline. This means they are less likely to encounter than most of their relatives. The fact they are the largest sea turtle growing up to 7 feet long and weighing up to 2,000 pounds explains why the hatchlings I saw seemed so big. These impressive reptiles can swim the furthest, dive the deepest and hold their breath the longest of all the sea turtles.
As serendipity would have it, I neglected all of my scheduled work for the next few days and sculpted a leatherback hatchling. When inspiration hits, it hits. The clay moves effortlessly and the miracle we saw on the ocean takes form in the studio.
Leatherback Turtle Hatchlings
Photographed by Geoffrey C. Smith
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