MilaBooks.com Newsletter   
  
  The
 Sea-gram
August 2016
  
For ocean lovers, divers, and 
"deep-thinkers."
  MilaBooks Logo

Loggerhead Sea turtle, Santa Rosa Wall, Cozumel Mexico. Paul Mila Photo

(See story below)

Welcome to the August Sea-gra m  from MilaBooks.com  .

In case you're wondering if you missed the July Sea-gram, you didn't miss us -- we missed you.  July was a hectic month, so we're catching up now.
 
For any readers who stay at the Residencias Reef condos in Cozumel, the big news is that a loggerhead sea turtle (similar to the headline photo above) came onto our beach one night in June and made a nest, depositing about 100 eggs.
Someone took a photo of momma turtle searching for a suitable spot for her nest:  
 
   And the finished product:
Look for updates on the hatchlings in future Sea-grams.
We've also heard that we have a second nest now!
 
What do turtle eggs look like? Check out this youtube video from SeeTurtle.org to see what the process entails for a sea turtle to lay her eggs:
 _________________________________________

This month's C onservation Corner article, A Great Summer Sea Turtle Story, was sent in
by Andrea B. Siebold, Sea Turtle Nest Adoption Coordinator for the Hilton Head Island Sea Turtle Protection Project.
 
Our Story Behind the Photo article is about the Splendid Toadfish, with a photo sent in by Jerry Kirton.
 
_________________________________________
 
If you have a photo with an interesting story, or would like to share a good dive yarn, let me know at  [email protected] and I'll be happy to include your story in a future issue.
  
If you know someone who would enjoy reading Sea-gram, perhaps a dive buddy in need of an overdue "dive fix," please forward Sea-gram using the link at the end of the newsletter.
 
To view past Sea-grams click our ARCHIVE link below:

I hope you enjoy Sea-gram !
  
Sincerely,
Paul J. Mila
MilaBooks.com
516-578-1482 
 Conservation Corner
  Little Girls Making A Big Difference  
                                                           By Andrea Seabold


Here is a great summer sea turtle story: 
 
In Kansas, 1500 miles from the nearest sea turtle, lives a ten year old girl named Ashley.  Last year, Ashley and her family vacationed on Hilton Head Island and went to one of the sea turtle talks put on by the Coastal Discovery Museum. 
Ashley was so interested and wanted so much to help save the sea turtles, that she saved up her money so she could adopt a nest this summer.  She wrote with her application: 
"I love sea turtles so much. I can't wait to get all the information about the nest. I am so happy to be able to have the opportunity to save a sea turtle."
 
Then this summer, Ashley, along with her sister and her cousin, did a lemonade stand in their Kansas neighborhood - to raise money to save the Hilton Head Island sea turtles!  They raised $142.51 - and donated $100.00 to the sea turtle project (holding back $42.51 for supplies to do it again ). 
"I told everyone that bought lemonade what we were doing it for, and we got a lot of donations."
 
Here is the budding ecologist and entrepreneur at work:

Andrea's Update:
It is hot on Hilton Head this week and the new nestings are slowing down (only one every day or so, bringing total to 397 nests). 
But more and more nests are hatching, and the team is doing several inventories a day. 
 
Here are three babies rescued from Nest #116 during the inventory this week:

Thanks for the update & story, Andrea.
Keep up the good work!

 Story Behind the Photo . . .
            Finding the Splendid Toadfish
                             by Andrea Kirton, Oklahoma City                       
This was sent in by Jerry Kirton, diving in Cozumel:


This Toadfish photo was taken by Andrea Kirton while diving Cedral Pass with Pancho in Cozumel, Mexico, 
June 18th, 2016.
 
Photo equipment:
Cannon One Shot with an Ikelight case.
 

Editor's Note: The Splendid Toadfish is difficult to find or photograph. They are usually spotted hiding under rocks or inside holes, with only their head visible and most of their bodies concealed.
There are many species of toadfish worldwide, but the Splendid Toadfish is only found in Cozumel.
About MilaBooks.com
www.milabooks.com  
is your home for exciting dive adventure novels
and YouTube videos featuring various ocean creatures.
 
  * * * * SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT * * * *
 
My first children's book,
Harry Hawksbill Helps His Friends
from Best Publishing Company, will be available soon.
We'll keep you posted about special pre-sale offers.        
MilaBooks Logo
Click the reading dolphin and swim into our website
  
Thanks for visiting, and we'll see you next month!
Paul J. Mila 
  
    Paul in Cozumel
MilaBooks.com
75 Titus Avenue
Carle Place, New York 11514
516-578-1482
 
To forward Sea-gram to a friend, please click the "Forward email" link below.

Conservation Corner:

Little Girls Making A Big Difference

 

Story Behind the Photo:

The Splendid Toadfish


 

Stories lower left column.

  
Quick Links
         
Updates & Miscellaneous Features
  
Three Stories for Whale Lovers
 
1. Could a whale really swallow you?
 
For anyone wondering about the biblical story of Jonah & the whale,
watch this short youtube video for the likely answer:
swallowed by a whale?
Swallowed by a Whale?


2. Close Call for Kayaker!
Sea-gram reader Amanda McGuire, from the UK, sent us this amazing story, with short video, of a kayaker's close call:


3. Unique Whale Video

Sea-gram fan Jeff Reed sent in this story: Unique footage of a Bryde's whale was released in June by Auckland University of Technology.
 
The footage shows an adult whale feeding, briefly joined by a young calf, and was filmed from a drone off the coast of Auckland. It is thought to be the first time the feeding behavior of a Bryde's whale has been recorded by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

Rare Brydes Whale Feeding
Rare Bryde's Whale Feeding

* * * * * * * * *
 
New Book from Diver & Author Mike Monahan
Completes Trilogy
 
Mike Monahan, diver & author, has completed the final story in his Barracuda trilogy, available in both paperback and Kindle.
If this story is anything like the first two, you're in for a rollercoaster ride to an exciting underwater adventure.
 
Click on the book cover for more details:
 
  * * * * * * * * *
  For Freshwater Fans
In the June Sea-gram we introduced you to Nancy Washburne
and her book,
Snorkeling Guide to Inland Lakes.
For a peak inside Nancy's freshwater world, enjoy this short video:
Snorkeling Lake Michigan
Snorkeling Lake Michigan
 
For more information, visit Nancy's website:

 
* * * * * * * * *
  Sea Shepherd Update
 
The folks at Sea Shepherd have several conservaation initiatives going on and can really use your assistance.
Visit their website to learn how you can help:

* * * * * * * * * 
  A Great Newsletter !
If you don't subscribe to Ben Davison's 
  Undercurrent Magazine,  you should.
It is informative and full of good tips on travel, dive equipment and more.
Check it out:

      * * * * * * * *
Visit 
Paradise 
Check out my Cozumel, Mexico beachfront condo on VRBO:
Condo Details
 
 
Here is your view from the condo:
Morning at the Residencias Reef Beachfront Condo
Morning at the Residencias Reef Beachfront Condo
 
* * * * * * *  
New York Diving 
Scuba Network of Long Island
Sales, Service, Basic and Advanced 
Dive Instruction
Local Diving & Exotic Dive Trips

For the best scuba experience in the New York area, contact
For the best in Cozumel diving, 
check out Alison Dennis:
 
Looking for your own Slice of Paradise ?
Contact Nancy Edwards at Cozumel Living: 
 
or
Jaime Ramirez at:
   
             * * * * * * * * *
Available Links
Post a link to your web site in Sea-gram

E-mail [email protected] for details.

 
* * * * *
 
 
Join Our Mailing List
 
If a friend forwarded Sea-gram to you and you'd like to receive future issues, let us know. Click the JOIN link above, or e-mail me at [email protected]