15th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
A turtle covers itself with sand while sunning near Alii Beach Park

Sea turtles usually can be found sunning near Alii Beach Park, Haleiwa, Oahu in the afternoons. As they are cold blooded animals, resting in the hot sun warms the turtle’s blood and keeps them out of deep water during the time of day when sharks are likely to hunt them.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2015
Date Uploaded: 11.2017
Photo Location: Haleiwa Town, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America
Camera: NIKON D810
Copyright: © Salvatore Lanzilotti