Thursday May 14.
This combined was the best and worst day so far. First, not even half to Sandy Point our tire popped while we were driving. Everyone was safe. We waited about 45 mins until rescue came but then we had to wait another hour on a beach while they took our truck back to the center to fix it. Yes i know waiting on the beach doesnt sound bad but it was when it started to pour down rain for about 10 mins. Everyone occupied there time by playing with the snails. It was a battle royal between the snails and hermit crabs.
Once we were rescued we finally got to our destination and ate lunch. We then collected shells to keep for ourselves plus to identify later in lab. Our entertainment started when we got over the last sand mound and realized how big the waves were. They were breaking right off shore. The boys were very daring a body surfed them.The girls on the other hand laughed at them. Everyone got a whole lot of sand in their swim suits.
That afternoon we when to Grotto Beach to snorkel at the reef. We got out there and saw a couple of cool fish but had to come back in because the surf was too rough. Our dive flag was floating out to the open ocean. The last of us to come in were fortunate to see a flounder fish. It was pretty cool.
Since we couldnt snorkel anymore we just played and swam in the shallow water for a little bit. On our way back to the research center it started raining agian. Everyone was soaked by the time we got back.
In lab we all had to identify 12 shells that we collected. Some groups also had to do a sand analysis which consists of comparing sand from beaches on the North, South, East, and West of the islands. Also, everyone is working on their individual projects during their free time. Some are doing the tide pools, a group is measuring plants, and some are comparing biodiversity between day and night on the reef.
For it being really cloudy and rainy out quite of bit of our group got pretty burnt. Ouch.
Friday May 15.
Today we to Storr's lake to find stromatolites. These are calcium carbonate structures created by cyanobacteria. Aka big smooth rocks. The water had a pinkish color to it because of the halophiles. This was also the saltiest lake we have been to. To find the stromatolites we just had to get into the water and walk until we hit our shins on them. The bottom of the lake was very rocky and if you stayed in one place too long you would start to sink. This was an adventure and a very difficult task. Many of us came out with battle wounds. We did find the stromatolites and they were awesome! We took samples of the the stromatolites, the water and the muck on the bottom and viewed them under the microscopes in the lab.
We have the afternoon off to work on our individual projects.
Kelsey Kovacevich and Amanda Paige
Friday, May 15, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Bahamian Adventures!!!!
Sorry for the delay. We have been so busy and exhausted that we haven't got a chance write about our adventures.
Thursday May 7.
We went snorkeling in the sea grass beds down the road from the research at north point and Dr. Toering collected plants and algae for us to identify later in lab. That night like every other night we played card games in the snack bar.
Friday May 8.
We finally got to take the boat out and went to Green Cay which was inhabited by San Salvador Rock Iguanas. The first four people onto the island got stopped by one in the middle of the path and then another one ran out behind them and they were trapped. It was very enjoyable for the people behind to watch them stuck between iguanas. This island was way cool. Iguanas were everywhere. They would just run out from the rocks and grass when we least expected. Jacob thought one tried to attack him.
After we went to Catto Cay also known as Bird Island. We just drove by because it smells because of all the bird poop. There were two main birds we saw: Frigates and Brown Boobies. Our boat driver was very funny with one liners from those names. As we got closer to the island the Brown Boobies would fly over the boat and everyone would duck and scream because the birds would get so close we thought for sure they were going to poop on us.
We then went snorkeling at Gaulin Reef near these two islands. Right away we saw a ton of Barracudas. Ther was one that was at least 6 feet long. It had the meanest look on its face. The whole time we were swimming the Brown Boobies would land in the water near us. One landed behind Amanda and would stick its head into the water to check us out. This was by far the coolest reef we've been to. There were huge corals sticking out of the water.
Sat. May 9
We drove to Sandy Point which is at the southern tip of the island. We hiked along a trail to the ruins of a plantation. There were only three buildings left be we could easily identify what they once were. This plantation was the second highest point on the island. After the plantation we went a blue hole which is a a vertical cave that is connected to the ocean via underground caves. The blue hole we saw was used by the plantation to keep sea turtles in so they could use them for meat.
That afternoon we drove to Cockburn and walked along a fossilized reef. We identified many fossilized coral.
That night we had some fun and got to meet many of the locals. The Bahamians are very nice people.
Sun. May 10.
A few people went to church and said that was an interesting experience. Apparently no one can sing very well on this island.
That afternoon was a blast. We went a visted the lighthouse that just east of the center. It was built by a shipping company a long time ago because many of their ships were crashing into the Bahamas. So many of the outer islands have lighthouses. We got to climb to the top and the view was amazing! We also got to see the huge lenses the magnify the light at night. During the day these lenses are covered because if the sun hit them they could start a fire and that would not be very good.
After the lighthouse we hiked down a trail and climbed down into a cave. We had to wear jeans and tennisshoes so by the time we got into the cave we were all sweaty. We could only go into the cave at low tide because it is connected to the ocean but no one has figured out where. We climbed down this metal ladder and walked through the cave. At one point the water got up to our chests. We saw a few bats and a couple of cock roaches. The cave was a lot of fun. Afterwards went to Grahams Harbor to clean off our clothes and to cool off a little. Meanwhile some of the locals had just got done hunting Queen Conches and were on the pier breaking them open. We are pretty sure it way have been the illigaly kind they were doing but then again maybe not.
Mon. May 11
TEST DAY!!! First test was this morning. It was by no means easy and yet was not too hard.
Today was also the day the Elmira Group left. We were happy that we were going to have the place alone for a couple of days. Well that actually lasted like an hour. A group from Georgia came. They seemed cool. A little different.
That afternoon we finally did some land stuff. We went to North Point again and walked along a trail and identified a ton of plants. Not much fun but it was windy because we were on the peninsula so we stayed really cool.
That night the last group went night snorkeling. We saw a small lionfish, a spiny lobster, and the biggest crab ever! Night snorkeling is a lot of fun but wierd at the same time. You get all disoriented in the water so Dr. Toering would be standing on the shore with a light so we wouldnt get lost. After the snorkel everyone just went to the snack bar and played more card games.
Tuesday May 12.
Today we went to Pigeon Creek which is a huge tidal creek at the southern end of the island. We collected data for an ongoing research group that was not going to make it to the island this year. We had to count every organism we saw in this grid. It took us about three hours. The only bad thing about this adventure was we all got stung by hydroids. They are not bad stings but they did hurt. Everyones legs were all red when we got out of the water.
After we at lunch near the tidal creek we snorkeled along the mangroves and caught the tide going out to the ocean and pretty much float out to a near by beach. This was a lot of fun. We saw two sting rays both within 5 yards of each other.
When we got back to the research center we met another group from North Caronlina that just arrived but everyone was exhausted so we slept til dinner.
Tonight is Movie Knight! We have chosen the movie TOTAL RECALL!!!! very excited! its my favorite movie!!
Kelsey Kovacevich
Thursday May 7.
We went snorkeling in the sea grass beds down the road from the research at north point and Dr. Toering collected plants and algae for us to identify later in lab. That night like every other night we played card games in the snack bar.
Friday May 8.
We finally got to take the boat out and went to Green Cay which was inhabited by San Salvador Rock Iguanas. The first four people onto the island got stopped by one in the middle of the path and then another one ran out behind them and they were trapped. It was very enjoyable for the people behind to watch them stuck between iguanas. This island was way cool. Iguanas were everywhere. They would just run out from the rocks and grass when we least expected. Jacob thought one tried to attack him.
After we went to Catto Cay also known as Bird Island. We just drove by because it smells because of all the bird poop. There were two main birds we saw: Frigates and Brown Boobies. Our boat driver was very funny with one liners from those names. As we got closer to the island the Brown Boobies would fly over the boat and everyone would duck and scream because the birds would get so close we thought for sure they were going to poop on us.
We then went snorkeling at Gaulin Reef near these two islands. Right away we saw a ton of Barracudas. Ther was one that was at least 6 feet long. It had the meanest look on its face. The whole time we were swimming the Brown Boobies would land in the water near us. One landed behind Amanda and would stick its head into the water to check us out. This was by far the coolest reef we've been to. There were huge corals sticking out of the water.
Sat. May 9
We drove to Sandy Point which is at the southern tip of the island. We hiked along a trail to the ruins of a plantation. There were only three buildings left be we could easily identify what they once were. This plantation was the second highest point on the island. After the plantation we went a blue hole which is a a vertical cave that is connected to the ocean via underground caves. The blue hole we saw was used by the plantation to keep sea turtles in so they could use them for meat.
That afternoon we drove to Cockburn and walked along a fossilized reef. We identified many fossilized coral.
That night we had some fun and got to meet many of the locals. The Bahamians are very nice people.
Sun. May 10.
A few people went to church and said that was an interesting experience. Apparently no one can sing very well on this island.
That afternoon was a blast. We went a visted the lighthouse that just east of the center. It was built by a shipping company a long time ago because many of their ships were crashing into the Bahamas. So many of the outer islands have lighthouses. We got to climb to the top and the view was amazing! We also got to see the huge lenses the magnify the light at night. During the day these lenses are covered because if the sun hit them they could start a fire and that would not be very good.
After the lighthouse we hiked down a trail and climbed down into a cave. We had to wear jeans and tennisshoes so by the time we got into the cave we were all sweaty. We could only go into the cave at low tide because it is connected to the ocean but no one has figured out where. We climbed down this metal ladder and walked through the cave. At one point the water got up to our chests. We saw a few bats and a couple of cock roaches. The cave was a lot of fun. Afterwards went to Grahams Harbor to clean off our clothes and to cool off a little. Meanwhile some of the locals had just got done hunting Queen Conches and were on the pier breaking them open. We are pretty sure it way have been the illigaly kind they were doing but then again maybe not.
Mon. May 11
TEST DAY!!! First test was this morning. It was by no means easy and yet was not too hard.
Today was also the day the Elmira Group left. We were happy that we were going to have the place alone for a couple of days. Well that actually lasted like an hour. A group from Georgia came. They seemed cool. A little different.
That afternoon we finally did some land stuff. We went to North Point again and walked along a trail and identified a ton of plants. Not much fun but it was windy because we were on the peninsula so we stayed really cool.
That night the last group went night snorkeling. We saw a small lionfish, a spiny lobster, and the biggest crab ever! Night snorkeling is a lot of fun but wierd at the same time. You get all disoriented in the water so Dr. Toering would be standing on the shore with a light so we wouldnt get lost. After the snorkel everyone just went to the snack bar and played more card games.
Tuesday May 12.
Today we went to Pigeon Creek which is a huge tidal creek at the southern end of the island. We collected data for an ongoing research group that was not going to make it to the island this year. We had to count every organism we saw in this grid. It took us about three hours. The only bad thing about this adventure was we all got stung by hydroids. They are not bad stings but they did hurt. Everyones legs were all red when we got out of the water.
After we at lunch near the tidal creek we snorkeled along the mangroves and caught the tide going out to the ocean and pretty much float out to a near by beach. This was a lot of fun. We saw two sting rays both within 5 yards of each other.
When we got back to the research center we met another group from North Caronlina that just arrived but everyone was exhausted so we slept til dinner.
Tonight is Movie Knight! We have chosen the movie TOTAL RECALL!!!! very excited! its my favorite movie!!
Kelsey Kovacevich
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Yesterday we hiked East Beach, better known as "Junk Beach." It's called Junk Beach because all of the garbage from across the world land on this part of the island. Since there is a East to West current, all of the debris lands on this beach. We hiked to a Christopher Columbus monument erected by Chicago Tribune in the late 1800s. On the way back, we collected glass bottles to aide in the GRC attempts to construct raised garden beds for the people to grow their own food. Kerry happened to find a message in a bottle!!!! We later found this bottle to be from the Greek Islands!
That afternoon we went to Long Bay where we saw four other Christopher Columbus monuments. One was dedicated by Mexico for the 1968 Olympics where the torch passed through. Another one was made from a U.S. citizen that resembled a cross for Columbus' landing to the new world. The third one was built by the government of Spain for San Salvador. The fourth was built by the Japanese. This is believed to be the exact location where Columbus landed in the new world.
After that, we snorkeled on the beach. We saw many interesting creatures including an eel. The water was very blue on the reef was deep. Our group then enjoyed playing the card game 'Mafia' where Jacob cheats and Drew always accuses Kelsey as the Mafia!
Today, we went to North Point which is only a 10 minute walk from the research center. We snorkeled for about an hour and collected plant and algae samples to identify later. This was the heaviest current we snorkeled in so far, but our excellent swimming skills saved us! Dr. Toering was generous and gave us the afternoon off while she explored the caves with another group. A few of us went to the beach and some of the boys collected conch shells for us to bring home! Luke also dug up a few anchors!
A storm is brewing up now. Nothing else to say-stay tuned in for more adventures from the Bahamian Ecology class!
Amanda Paige and Kelsey Kovacevich
That afternoon we went to Long Bay where we saw four other Christopher Columbus monuments. One was dedicated by Mexico for the 1968 Olympics where the torch passed through. Another one was made from a U.S. citizen that resembled a cross for Columbus' landing to the new world. The third one was built by the government of Spain for San Salvador. The fourth was built by the Japanese. This is believed to be the exact location where Columbus landed in the new world.
After that, we snorkeled on the beach. We saw many interesting creatures including an eel. The water was very blue on the reef was deep. Our group then enjoyed playing the card game 'Mafia' where Jacob cheats and Drew always accuses Kelsey as the Mafia!
Today, we went to North Point which is only a 10 minute walk from the research center. We snorkeled for about an hour and collected plant and algae samples to identify later. This was the heaviest current we snorkeled in so far, but our excellent swimming skills saved us! Dr. Toering was generous and gave us the afternoon off while she explored the caves with another group. A few of us went to the beach and some of the boys collected conch shells for us to bring home! Luke also dug up a few anchors!
A storm is brewing up now. Nothing else to say-stay tuned in for more adventures from the Bahamian Ecology class!
Amanda Paige and Kelsey Kovacevich
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Hello from the Bahamas!!!
Hello fellow Iowans! We arrived safely to the Bahamas on Sunday night to the capital, Nassau. We were flying from 6:30am until about 5 in the evening so it was a long day. I actually had the opportunity to sit next to the producer of the T.V. show The Doctors, which was pretty cool. After spending the night in Nassau and meeting a few locals, we flew to the small island of San Salvador. To get here, we took a 20 passenger plane that I couldn't even stand up in! It was really beautiful flying over the clear blue water and the sandy beaches.
After we arrived here, we came to the Gerace Research Center. Right now, it is just our class and a class from New York, but by next week there will be over 100 people here. Yesterday we snorkeled right away in a reef and saw a Barracuda!!! Later on the night a few of us went tide pooling and found some pretty interesting organisms, including an octopus and many sea urchins! Today Dr. Toering lectured about some scary plants and animals we may encounter on the island including nurse sharks and jelly fish. We went snorkeling again today, my snorkeling partner (Kelsey K.) and I saw a Yellow Sting Ray and it was pretty sweet! We also saw some yellow-tailed snappers, brain coral, and parrot fish.
The island we are on is pretty small and only has a population of around 1000 people. The locals are very friendly. It's very sunny and warm-in the mid 80s. We are all getting pretty nice tans:) There is not too much to do on the island because it is very small-but we are spending a good majority on the beach. Well, that's all for now, hope May Term is going well!
Amanda Paige
After we arrived here, we came to the Gerace Research Center. Right now, it is just our class and a class from New York, but by next week there will be over 100 people here. Yesterday we snorkeled right away in a reef and saw a Barracuda!!! Later on the night a few of us went tide pooling and found some pretty interesting organisms, including an octopus and many sea urchins! Today Dr. Toering lectured about some scary plants and animals we may encounter on the island including nurse sharks and jelly fish. We went snorkeling again today, my snorkeling partner (Kelsey K.) and I saw a Yellow Sting Ray and it was pretty sweet! We also saw some yellow-tailed snappers, brain coral, and parrot fish.
The island we are on is pretty small and only has a population of around 1000 people. The locals are very friendly. It's very sunny and warm-in the mid 80s. We are all getting pretty nice tans:) There is not too much to do on the island because it is very small-but we are spending a good majority on the beach. Well, that's all for now, hope May Term is going well!
Amanda Paige
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