🐢 From Recovery to the Reef: My Morning with Swim Shady in Juno Beach!

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Wow, what a morning! I took a break from my usual work this week to head to Juno Beach, and I got to witness something truly unforgettable: the release of Swim Shady, an endangered loggerhead sea turtle, back into the Atlantic Ocean.

It was such a powerful experience, and I knew I had to share the photos with you all.

A Triumphant Return Home

Loggerhead Marinelife Center staff carrying the sea turtle Swim Shady on a stretcher toward the water's edge at the beach.
Loggerhead Marinelife Center volunteer stands over the loggerhead sea turtle, Swim Shady, at the start of the release.

Swim Shady has been on quite the journey. She was rescued a few months ago after being hit by a boat near Port St. Lucie. The incredible team at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) here in Palm Beach County worked miracles with surgery, antibiotics, and specialized care to get her strong enough for this moment.

The atmosphere on the beach was just amazing. Lots of smiling faces, all there cheering her on! Dr. Heather Barron from LMC mentioned how much joy these releases bring, because everyone loves that feeling of "going home and freedom." I totally got that—it was truly inspiring.

The Walk of Freedom

Wide shot of the endangered loggerhead sea turtle, Swim Shady, surrounded by a large cheering crowd on Juno Beach, FL.
Close-up portrait of the loggerhead sea turtle, Swim Shady, resting on the mat before beginning her journey into the ocean.
Close-up of loggerhead sea turtle Swim Shady crawling across the sand toward the ocean waves as the crowd watches.

The power and determination in her crawl were unreal! Every flipper push was a statement: I'm healed, I'm ready.

Loggerhead sea turtle Swim Shady takes her first steps toward the ocean as the Juno Beach crowd looks on.
Swim Shady the loggerhead sea turtle in the shallow surf with the Juno Beach pier visible in the distance.
Loggerhead sea turtle Swim Shady makes contact with the Atlantic waves on the shore of Juno Beach during her release.
Loggerhead sea turtle Swim Shady makes contact with the Atlantic waves on the shore of Juno Beach during her release.

And then, just like that, she was gone! A huge surge of water and she disappeared into the Atlantic. What a success story for her and for the entire LMC crew.

Until Next Time

Loggerhead Marinelife Center staff carrying the sea turtle Swim Shady on a stretcher toward the water's edge at the beach.


I hope these photos give you a little lift today! If you want to support their mission, I highly recommend checking out the Loggerhead Marine Life Center website. (Loggerhead Marinelife Center - Ocean & Sea Turtle Conservation in Juno Beach, FL)