Work officially began today with setting up some of our class projects. By 8:00 A.M. we were in the water, collecting turbinaria (a species of algae) from the dead coral heads. Using paint scrapers, I swam around the reef looking for small turbinaria, loosening their holdfasts and placing them in my ziploc bag. After returning my collection to shore, I swam back out to fill a plastic tub with 20 liters of water. During the next few hours, we sorted, spun, weighed and measured the turbinaria, prepping them for their designated treatments. It began to pour at this point and luckily we were almost finished. Rain here is quite the opposite of the rain experienced in LA. I normally dislike walking around in the rain, but here, it is so warm and we are usually still wet from coming out of the ocean that a little more water doesn't make a difference.
After lunch, we set out the experimental treatments from the morning. As a group leader, I was charged with the hammer and a compass, navigating my classmates from site to site. At each site, we nailed the cages to the dead coral heads and used cable ties to secure the cages to the nails. It again began to rain and soon the water became chilly. However, work continued and we nailed in about ten cages. I felt like a true marine scientist, directing a team and working underwater.
The work continued until dinner, as we sorted through halimeda (another species of algae) to find mesograzers (invertebrates smaller than 2 cm). Although the work was tedious, it was quite fascinating. We found teeny brittle stars, snails, hermit crabs, urchins, crabs, worms, and so many other little creatures. It amazed me how small these organisms are, and yet they look just like their adult counterparts.
Our days spent in and out of the water, leaving everyone famished by the time our 6:00 dinner rolls around. The moment we finish cleaning up the lab, we all rushed over to the kitchen to eat. Tonight's dinner consisted of pasta, clam chowder, cucumber and green bean salad, pamelo (I'm not exactly sure that's what it's called) and of course, French bread. After dinner, we went over tomorrow's procedures for our next class project. We will be taking boats to the reef crest to sample sediment and I will be one of the divers for my boat. I never imagined I would learn to dive and even when I began to, I was not comfortable underwater. After my weekend class trip to Catalina in February, I now look forward to diving. I love observing marine life: the damselfish guarding its turf of algae, the juvenille Picasso Fish darting in and out of crevices in the rocks and nudibranchs crawling on the dead coral.
Overall, these past four days have been more than I could have hoped for. I know the real work is yet to begin, but I am still looking forward to those long days because I know they will be worth the effort. Oh look, it's almost 9:00, going to hit the sack pretty soon.
"Early to bed, early to rise, makes a [wo]man healthy, wealthy and wise." -Benjamin Franklin
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Mo'orea: Day 2
No introduction, no matter how eloquent, could do arriving in Mo'orea justice. This island is breathtakingly beautiful. As we rode the bus around the island, I felt like a dog staring out the window: wind in my face, smiling in bliss. To my right were steep mountain peaks blanketed in lush vegetation and to my left was a vibrant turquoise ocean, waves breaking at the fore reef.
Yesterday we arrived at the Gump station around 9:30 and soon after unpacking, we jumped in the water for a snorkel. The warm waters hosted a wealth of marine life. It was so exciting to be able to see all of the fishes, algae and invertebrates we had been learning about in class for the past three weeks. After dinner, I lay on the dock and gazed at the stars. The slight breeze and bright Milky Way were the perfect ending to a perfect arrival here on this island.
This morning began with breakfast at 6:30. I'm loving all of the fresh baguettes with our meals! After reviewing some of the fish found in Mo'orea we headed to the motus by boat. First, we stopped to snorkel with the sting rays and we were soon joined by black tip reef sharks! Before this trip, I thought I would be petrified if I ever saw a shark while in the water, but somehow, all that fear disappeared once I jumped in the water this morning. Next, we headed to the motu, coral islands formed thousands of years ago. The scenery was unreal, like something you only see from postcards. The water was even clearer than at Gump and the diversity of fishes also much greater. The Christmas tree worms were so cute and I tried multiple times to get a nice picture of them, but I was too buoyant and couldn't stay down long enough to get the camera to focus. I will have to make more attempts while on SCUBA.
Not sure what is in store for the rest of tonight and tomorrow, but that uncertainty keeps everyday exciting. We must be going on the death snorkel either tomorrow or within the next couple days. I'm a little nervous, but my soul is so blissful right now, I cannot get anxious over it, even if I try.
Yesterday we arrived at the Gump station around 9:30 and soon after unpacking, we jumped in the water for a snorkel. The warm waters hosted a wealth of marine life. It was so exciting to be able to see all of the fishes, algae and invertebrates we had been learning about in class for the past three weeks. After dinner, I lay on the dock and gazed at the stars. The slight breeze and bright Milky Way were the perfect ending to a perfect arrival here on this island.
This morning began with breakfast at 6:30. I'm loving all of the fresh baguettes with our meals! After reviewing some of the fish found in Mo'orea we headed to the motus by boat. First, we stopped to snorkel with the sting rays and we were soon joined by black tip reef sharks! Before this trip, I thought I would be petrified if I ever saw a shark while in the water, but somehow, all that fear disappeared once I jumped in the water this morning. Next, we headed to the motu, coral islands formed thousands of years ago. The scenery was unreal, like something you only see from postcards. The water was even clearer than at Gump and the diversity of fishes also much greater. The Christmas tree worms were so cute and I tried multiple times to get a nice picture of them, but I was too buoyant and couldn't stay down long enough to get the camera to focus. I will have to make more attempts while on SCUBA.
Not sure what is in store for the rest of tonight and tomorrow, but that uncertainty keeps everyday exciting. We must be going on the death snorkel either tomorrow or within the next couple days. I'm a little nervous, but my soul is so blissful right now, I cannot get anxious over it, even if I try.
black tip reef sharks and rays on our way to the motus
giant clam-I love their vibrant colors!
an old ship from our tour of the island
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Hex Nuts Bracelets Mini Sale!
Spring break may have come and gone in a flash, but I still managed to pick up supplies to make a few more hex nut bracelets. There is something so fulfilling about sharing your hand crafted items with friends and family, so here I am, sharing with all of you!
available
available
wait list
1 left!
white bangle is from H&M
made the bracelet on the right from scraps (sneak peek at my next sale?)
All bracelets will be $12!
As you may know, I will be leaving for French Polynesia in 9 days, so let me know ASAP if you would like one. I'll be making more, along with other designs when I return. :)
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Countdown to Moorea: 16 Days
Today marks day 4 of my Marine Biology Quarter (MBQ) experience. I wish I could have started from day 1, but I've been so busy that I just haven't been able to sit down and write until now.
It has been almost a year since I was accepted into this program and the time since then has been a journey in itself. I have spent the latter half of summer up until now learning to dive on S.C.U.B.A, training for my open water as well as scientific diver certifications. Hours of practice, emotional and physical stress and thousands of dollars later, I am here. I am 16 days away from embarking on what will likely be the most exciting experience of my whole undergraduate career.
It has been almost a year since I was accepted into this program and the time since then has been a journey in itself. I have spent the latter half of summer up until now learning to dive on S.C.U.B.A, training for my open water as well as scientific diver certifications. Hours of practice, emotional and physical stress and thousands of dollars later, I am here. I am 16 days away from embarking on what will likely be the most exciting experience of my whole undergraduate career.
image courtesy of worldislandparadise.com