Explore the Majestic Green and Loggerhead Sea Turtles - Underwater Photography That Inspires.

Meet the Sea Turtles of Looe Key : Nature’s Gentle Giants Through the Lens

Beneath the calm turquoise waters of Looe Key Marine Preserve, a world of silent grace unfolds. Through the expert lens of Michael Lombard at LombardUWPhoto.com, we are introduced to two awe-inspiring sea turtle species-the green turtle and the loggerhead - each gliding through the reef with powerful serenity. These wide-angle underwater images don’t just capture their size and strength - they tell a story of ecological balance, ancient migration, and the quiet beauty of underwater life. 

Green Sea Turtle - The Herbivorous Glider 

Elegant, gentle, and rarely in a rush - the green sea turtle is one of the ocean’s most graceful herbivores. 

The most striking features include : 

• Easily identifiable by its smooth shell edge and rounded head, the green turtle is smaller-headed than the loggerhead and patterned more delicately than the hawksbill.

• Unlike what the name suggests, its ‘green’ designation comes from the bright green fat underneath its shell - once harvested for food, now protected and revered. 

• Feeding primarily on seagrass and algae, these creatures play a vital role in maintaining marine vegetation levels. 

• Ranking third in global sea turtle size, they are beaten only by the loggerhead and leatherback species. 

Lombard UW Photo’s 15MM wide-angle image of a female green turtle gliding through the preserve reveals not just anatomy, but attitude - curiosity, calm, and connection with her habitat. 

Loggerhead Sea Turtle - The Powerful Crusher 

If the green turtle is nature’s gardener, the loggerhead is its crustacean connoisseur. 

The most striking features include : 

• Defined by an enormous head and crushing jaws, the loggerhead turtle is a predator of mollusks, lobsters, crabs, and conchs. 

• This strength isn’t just for feeding - it’s evolution’s answer to hard-shelled prey, giving loggerheads dominance in their reef territory. 

• Their feeding helps balance crustacean populations, subtly maintaining coral and shellfish ecosystems. 

The Lombard UW Photo snap captures a lone female loggerhead - poised, powerful, and purposeful. Her form embodies evolutionary engineering and underwater finesse. 

Looe Key Marine Preserve - A Hidden Gem for Wildlife Photography 

Few places offer the serenity and biodiversity of Florida’s Looe Key - an underwater sanctuary where sea life thrives and stories are waiting to be captured. Through its lens, Looe Key becomes not just a location - but a living canvas for marine storytelling. 

Located in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Looe Key is home to vibrant coral reefs, diverse fish populations, and protected marine life like sea turtles. Known for its shallow reef lodges and soft lighting, the site is a haven for underwater photography. 

Lombard UW Photo leverages these conditions to produce rich, clear, and emotionally resonant shots of wildlife in their natural setting .

Conclusion 

Each photo tells a tale : of species surviving ancient oceans, of reef ecosystems shaped by evolutionary brilliance, and of photographers like Lombard UW Photo who witness and preserve these stories. Whether you are a biologist, snorkeler, or visual dreamer, these turtle portraits speak to the quiet power of underwater worlds. 

F.A.Q

1. What is the difference between green and loggerhead sea turtles? 

Green turtles are herbivores with smaller heads and smoother shell edges, while loggerheads have massive jaws for crushing hard prey and larger heads.

2. Why is the green sea turtle called "green"? 

The name refers to the bright green fat under its shell—not its outer coloration.

3. Where is Looe Key Marine Preserve located? 

It’s part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, known for its reef diversity and calm diving conditions.

4.  What kind of underwater camera lens was used for these photos?

 Both turtle images were taken with a 15MM wide-angle lens to capture environmental context and subject clarity

5. How do sea turtles contribute to ocean ecosystems?

 Green turtles maintain vegetation balance by feeding on algae, while loggerheads control crustacean populations—both fostering reef health.