My soul is full of longing for the secrets of the sea, and the heart of the great ocean sends a thrilling pulse through me... - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
(Photo Credit: Meghan McCarthy / Daily News File Photo) While most people follow the traditional spring, summer, fall, & winter seasons; Here on Manasota Key we observe two seasons - Lights on and Lights off. May 1 is the official start of Lights off or better known as Sea Turtle Nesting Season. Most beach side Manasota Key Motels, condos, & homeowners have already made the annual move to shield all outdoor lights visible from the beac h. Sea turtle hatchlings have a natural instinct to move towards the brightest direction. On a natural beach, the brightest direction is most often the expansive view of the night sky over, and reflected by the ocean . Environmental lighting on the beach such as street lights, outdoor lighting on buildings, and even a lamp shining from a living room window can confuse the mother coming ashore to lay her eggs and the baby hatchlings some eight weeks later looking for their way to the sea. Sea tur...