Born on the Fourth of July

Watch your step: Sea turtles are underfoot. Biologists say there's a sea turtle baby boom along Pinellas County beaches, with 86 nests identified, including one at Caddy's Beach Bar,which is number one on Treasure Island, and sure to be a mob scene today. Many are worried that the baby turtles will be hatching among the fireworks, and get smushed among the hundreds of beach towels, chairs, umbrellas, and general party chaos. The nests are marked by wooden stakes, yellow ribbons and small "do not disturb" signs. Just inches under are about 120 ping-pong size sea turtle eggs. This is the biggest early nesting season in years for the threatened sea turtles, and the first hatchlings could emerge during all the fun.