When Florida photographer Suzanne Cosme set out early one morning to capture the sunrise at House of Refuge beach, she was expecting the quiet beauty of the ocean — not a rescue mission.
As the owner of DeVine Portraits in Palm City, Cosme is used to noticing the smallest details through her lens. So when she spotted a strange, brown shape wedged between the shoreline rocks, something told her to take a closer look.
“At first, I thought it was driftwood,” Cosme told The Dodo. “But as I got closer, I realized it was a sea turtle.”
Her heart sank. A massive loggerhead, weighing around 300 pounds, was trapped between the rocks, exhausted and struggling to move.
“My heart dropped,” she said. “It was such a surreal and emotional moment.”
Cosme immediately called the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and reported what she’d found. Then, keeping a safe distance, she waited on the beach — camera in hand, but heart heavy.
About 40 minutes later, help arrived. Officers from the institute and firefighters from Martin County Fire Rescue carefully assessed the situation before sliding a special rescue board beneath the turtle’s shell. With steady teamwork, they gently pulled her free and carried her toward the surf.
As soon as the turtle felt the ocean lapping at her flippers, she came to life — powerful strokes propelling her back toward the open sea.
“It was incredibly moving,” Cosme said. “I teared up watching her disappear into the waves. It felt like witnessing something sacred.”
The experience left a deep mark on her.
“It reminded me just how interconnected we all are with nature — and how vital it is to protect the creatures we share this planet with,” Cosme said. “I’ve always loved wildlife, but that morning deepened my respect and sense of responsibility.”
One sunrise, one moment — and one rescued turtle — changed how she’ll see the world forever.
