“It was such a surreal and emotional moment.”
Photographer’s Sunrise Shoot Turns Into a Sea Turtle Rescue
Suzanne Cosme headed to House of Refuge beach before dawn, camera in hand, ready to capture the colors of sunrise. As the owner of DeVine Portraits in Palm City, Florida, Cosme was used to noticing details others might overlook. But that morning, one detail stopped her cold.
Lodged between jagged rocks was what she first thought was driftwood. Stepping closer, her heart sank. It wasn’t wood at all — it was a massive loggerhead sea turtle, struggling but unable to free herself.
“She seemed exhausted and confused,” Cosme said. “My heart dropped. It was such a surreal and emotional moment.”
Knowing she couldn’t free the turtle alone, Cosme immediately contacted the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. For nearly 40 minutes, she kept watch from a safe distance until help arrived. Soon, an officer and a team from Martin County Fire Rescue carefully maneuvered around the 300-pound animal. With patience and precision, they slid a special board beneath her and lifted her from the rocks.
When they carried her closer to the shore, the transformation was instant. The moment the turtle felt the sea’s pull, she began to paddle, surging forward until she disappeared beneath the waves.
Cosme stood on the sand, tears in her eyes.
“It was incredibly moving,” she said. “It felt like witnessing something sacred. That moment stayed with me.”
For Cosme, the encounter was more than just a dramatic rescue — it was a reminder of the fragile ties between humans and the wild creatures around us.
“It reminded me just how interconnected we all are with nature,” she said. “I’ve always loved wildlife, but this deepened my respect and sense of responsibility. I’ll never forget it.”