To my precious granddaughters Sonia Emily Claudia Madeline Lily and Elise to my grandsons Martin and Leo and to all the children of the earth Let nature be your mentor and your guide Claire To my husband Geoff for his support And to our daughter Kate for being wonderful Ruth iii
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Table of Contents Acknowledgments vii Cast of Characters viii Mobile-Tensaw River Delta Map xi Chapter 1 Mock Turtle Soup 1 Chapter 2 June’s Dune 10 Chapter 3 Oiled Brown Pelican 25 Chapter 4 Dr Sanchez Issues a Challenge 37 Chapter 5 The Arts Festival 47 Chapter 6 Diamondbacks in the News 55 Chapter 7 To Shelley Point Island 66 Chapter 8 Hurricane Warning 83 Chapter 9 Hurricane Alex 91 Chapter 10 How to Rescue Terrapins 99 Chapter 11 No Time to Lose 102 Chapter 12 Mo’s Ark 109 Chapter 13 Big Beauty 114 Chapter 14 The Terrapin Hatchery 123 Chapter 15 The Terrapins Are Pipping 129 Chapter 16 The Hatchlings 137 Chapter 17 Into the Marsh 145 Author’s Note 153 Diamondback Terrapin Conservation Program in Alabama 157 Resources 161 v
