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Many-sided Florida
This peninsula has a history that is without peer in the US.
It was built from the primary matter of the continental shelf with millennia of microscopic growth building the backbone of the state from the ocean's depths. Inhabited by many early forms of animal life until the emergence of the migrating humankind groups settling where the great ice sheet didn't reach. In recent centuries the shoreline has been the place most populated by whichever wave of new inhabitants arrived. Scattered along the length of the state are many natural water basins of fresh liquid making it possible to conduct agriculture everywhere.
It was built from the primary matter of the continental shelf with millennia of microscopic growth building the backbone of the state from the ocean's depths. Inhabited by many early forms of animal life until the emergence of the migrating humankind groups settling where the great ice sheet didn't reach. In recent centuries the shoreline has been the place most populated by whichever wave of new inhabitants arrived. Scattered along the length of the state are many natural water basins of fresh liquid making it possible to conduct agriculture everywhere.
Seabirds of Prince William Sound
What a beautiful scene the Black Legged Kittiwake colony in front of the Shoup Glacier is! The only drawback this year was the rain, the really cold rain to this little southern granny! But regardless of what hardship any of the participants faced, the staff was incredible. There were three volunteer staff people, Alex, Andrew, and Nick. If I could give them all the moon, I would, and I will always have a special place in my heart for them and for Rissa, Ray, and of course Aly. Thanks is not enough.
Nobody would have thought I'd be out capturing adult kittiwakes, picking up the chicks, collecting barf, or any of the other scientific information! I wouldn't either, but that I did. The salmon ran late this year, and that is apparently having a bad effect on the kittiwake colony. I hope the end report doesn't prove that. I still hear the bird calling, "Kittiwake, kittiwake, kittiwake." I'm ready to go back.
June
Nobody would have thought I'd be out capturing adult kittiwakes, picking up the chicks, collecting barf, or any of the other scientific information! I wouldn't either, but that I did. The salmon ran late this year, and that is apparently having a bad effect on the kittiwake colony. I hope the end report doesn't prove that. I still hear the bird calling, "Kittiwake, kittiwake, kittiwake." I'm ready to go back.
June
New me
Is it all right that I'm older than most of you? I really feel like a kid and see myself as the age some of you babyfaces are. I love animals and fish and turtles. I have only 1 fish left from 3 generations of guppies. I love him very much. I grieved deeply over many of the others that died eventually. I was wondering, out of all those turtle eggs, how many survive? What happens after the eggs are laid, do they all hatch? If they don't all survive, at one point and from what do they die? Btw, I'm sure I love a lot of sea animals, just too long to list. I haven't been hardly anywhere. I'm in L.A. CA. I've been to Monterey, loved it but didn't get to do much there. I love the ocean. I couldn't make a comment without joining, so I did, I suppose there's a lot to learn from reading you guys' posts. Love to hear from any of you. I am about nature and the environment but never imagined running into this group here. Cool. Later. BB
Volunteering in the rainforest - what to bring
I volunteered on Puerto Rico's Rainforest last year, and I'm very glad I read the briefing thoroughly before I went, as it had lots of good suggestions. Here's what I found most useful to bring:
- lightweight boots - on this particular project, you're climbing hills and it's often muddy and slippery, so ankle protection is really necessary. And you either want boots that dry quickly, or that are waterproof. I chose quick-drying, and they were fine - but my feet did get wet every day.
- non-cotton pants with zip-off legs - I'm soooo glad I got these - they're quick to dry, not too hot to wear, and if you're in an area that's just too brushy or thorny for shorts, you can leave them half-zipped and get some air circulation.
- wickers or other non-cotton quick-drying shirts. I got long sleeved-tshirts, but other people had button shirts with vents that they loved
- flip-flops - you don't want to clump around in your dirty boots, and you don't want to shower barefoot, so this is what you need around your living area.
- a really good, small flashlight, with extra batteries. I know $30 - $40 sounds like a lot for a 4" flashlight, but when you're looking for tiny frogs, or trying to get to the toilet in the middle of the night, it's worth its weight in gold. Check out brightguy.com
- little packets of Crystal Light - these are great for any expedition, if you don't like the taste of tepid water that's been in a jug or bottle for a while. Most people don't drink enough during the day, which makes you tired and cranky by quitting time.
- separate clothes for non-work time. All of your work clothes get damp and muddy, and you don't want to look too disreputable on your days off - or your flight home :)
In general, expect to get wet, muddy, and sweaty every day, and to never quite get dry - like when you go on vacation in Florida and your swimsuit never really dries...
By the way, I had a WONDERFUL time - the staff is awesome, the work is fun, the coqui frogs are great - and you learn to salsa dance!
Kathy, the Earthwatch Webmaster
- lightweight boots - on this particular project, you're climbing hills and it's often muddy and slippery, so ankle protection is really necessary. And you either want boots that dry quickly, or that are waterproof. I chose quick-drying, and they were fine - but my feet did get wet every day.
- non-cotton pants with zip-off legs - I'm soooo glad I got these - they're quick to dry, not too hot to wear, and if you're in an area that's just too brushy or thorny for shorts, you can leave them half-zipped and get some air circulation.
- wickers or other non-cotton quick-drying shirts. I got long sleeved-tshirts, but other people had button shirts with vents that they loved
- flip-flops - you don't want to clump around in your dirty boots, and you don't want to shower barefoot, so this is what you need around your living area.
- a really good, small flashlight, with extra batteries. I know $30 - $40 sounds like a lot for a 4" flashlight, but when you're looking for tiny frogs, or trying to get to the toilet in the middle of the night, it's worth its weight in gold. Check out brightguy.com
- little packets of Crystal Light - these are great for any expedition, if you don't like the taste of tepid water that's been in a jug or bottle for a while. Most people don't drink enough during the day, which makes you tired and cranky by quitting time.
- separate clothes for non-work time. All of your work clothes get damp and muddy, and you don't want to look too disreputable on your days off - or your flight home :)
In general, expect to get wet, muddy, and sweaty every day, and to never quite get dry - like when you go on vacation in Florida and your swimsuit never really dries...
By the way, I had a WONDERFUL time - the staff is awesome, the work is fun, the coqui frogs are great - and you learn to salsa dance!
Kathy, the Earthwatch Webmaster
EarthwatchJohn
Hugely important study from the NOAA released yesterday. Please read and pass along to all you know...
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John
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John
EarthwatchJohn
Planet Green (an Earthwatch partner) is now LIVE in the US! Check out the video from the premiere party!
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John
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John
