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Just when I thought that I have been or have seen everything that Tampa

has to offer, the most wonderful and amazing opportunity comes along.

Ever since arriving in Tampa, I have been continually amazed at my new

home, and I have seen and experienced some incredible things. Today was

without a doubt one of the most exciting, and something I never would of

expected, much less be a part of.

I stopped in at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to get some photo

releases for the some of the photos I recently shot there for my

upcoming book. When I arrived, the aquarium was abuzz with excitement,

and I had no idea what was going on. I talked to one of the volunteers

at the front desk, when she said today that there was going to be a

turtle release. It was about to get real interesting.

I went upstairs, camera at my side, and saw a small group of staff

members around the turtle isolation and recovery tanks, as they were

lifting one of the turtles that has been receiving treatment out of the

tank. I snapped a few photos, not realizing that they were prepping the

turtle to be released back into the Gulf of Mexico in Clearwater Beach.

It was Mackenzie the Loggerhead Sea Turtle, a female that was found

seven months ago by one of the numerous volunteers at the Clearwater

Aquarium that routinely patrols the beaches in search of injured or

stranded turtles.

Mackenzie was found at Caladesi Island State Park on November 22, 2006.

She was extremely lethargic, suffering from what is known as lethargic

loggerhead syndrome, possibly brought on by red tide complications. The

symptoms of this are great lethargy including a lack of desire to eat.

Mackenzie was transported to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for

rehabilitation, including multiple doses of various antibiotics over the

seven month period. She was recently cleared for release by the

Clearwater Marine Aquarium veterinarian staff, and today, she was going

home.

I was invited to photograph the entire event, which was one exciting

experience, as I have never witnessed a turtle release before, and my

first time, I was able to get access to get some incredible shots of the

action. The staff made some last minute preparations, and took some

tests be make sure MacKenzie was ready to be released.

After the all clear, Mackenzie was placed in the back of the transport

truck, and then we whisked off to our final destination, Clearwater

Beach. When we arrived at the beach, a large crowd had gathered,

including beachgoers, other volunteers, local news media, state

officials, all of which made for a huge sense of excitement. Many

turtles are brought in for care, and few are released, so this was a

major event.

After one last check on the truck, Mackenzie was lowered onto the beach,

as the crowd cheered her on to return to the sea. It was loud, and

Mackenzie seemed a little startled at first, as she looked around at all

her new fans, and then instinct took over. The gentle waves of the warm

salt water surrounded her, and she got excited, and knew exactly what to

do. Just like a little child seeing the beach for the first time, she

looked straight ahead, and with all her might, started to run toward her

familiar home. The crowd starting chanting "GO! GO! GO!". What an

exciting moment.

In a flash, Mackenzie was in the water, and just as quickly as it began,

she dipped below the waters surface, and then she was gone. The crowd

roared with a big cheer, and clapped at a rare and successful release.

It was a bittersweet ending, as many of the staff at the aquarium were

elated, it was sad to see a new friend go.

It was an amazing time, and to be apart of it was a moment in my life I

won't soon forget. Be safe in your travels Mackenzie.

About The Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Inc. (CMA) is dedicated to public education,

research and rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick or injured

animals. CMA is a Florida non-profit organization, which has tax-exempt

status under IRC 501 (c)(3). CMA's stranding response team is one of the

nation's most successful stranding teams. Although many of the sick or

injured animals we rescue are released after rehabilitation, some become

permanent CMA residents, due to the extent of their injuries. Residents

include dolphins, sea turtles and river otters. To learn more about CMA,

please visit www.seewinter.com.

About Robert La Follette

Since 1989, Robert La Follette has been working as a graphic designer

and photographer. His photos have won numerous awards and have appeared

in Shutterbug Magazine, Informant Guest and Creation Magazine. La

Follette is also a contributing writer and photographer for Florida

Wildlife Magazine. Robert was awarded “Best of Show” at the Boyd Hill

Nature Photography Contest in St. Petersburg, Florida. He has also been

featured on “i On Tampa Bay” for PAX Television in Tampa.

Robert’s photography also appears around Tampa Bay, most notably with

the Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau, where his images showcases

the beauty and attractions that make Tampa Bay a world-renowned vacation

destination. Robert also teaches creative photography online and

personal workshops around Tampa Bay. Robert lives in Tampa, Florida with

his wife, Dawn, whom he has been happily married for over 18 years.

Wildlife enthusiasts, together they perform volunteer work with Tampa's

Lowry Park Zoo and Clearwater Marine Aquarium. To view more of Robert's

award-winning photography, please visit www.robertlafollette.com.