The adventure ends

All good things must come to an end and unfortunately my summer excursion to the Caribbean is over. I will surely miss that windy island and all of its inhabitants, the landlubbers, ocean creatures and especially those who dare to inhabit both!

Session 1 Students

Sunset farewell dinner

Session 2 Students

This has been a wonderful opportunity and I greatly appreciate everyone that has supported me through this blog. It was such a pleasure to share this experience with you! I will keep you updated on my future marine adventures. There will be more, I can promise you that. There is so much more to learn. Rita our beloved resident director reminded me last night that more is known about the moon than our oceans. Thank you for being part of my first step!

the final days

Spent the day snorkeling the Mangroves and seagrass beds in Lac Bay. I previously admitted that baby fish melt my heart, I was wrong. After spending an hour trying to ID juvenile fish about the size of my thumb, they now frustrate me!
It was still a wonderful trip! I just keep looking around the island trying to soak up the beauty. Only a few more days in paradise.

A few pictures from our last few dives.

Can you see him? I hope so.. wouldn't want to step on this scorpionfish

PEA FISH !

pollution. tear

Went Snorkeling on Klein (3rd day in a row) yesterday! The turtle count is up to about 8 now. We saw mostly Green Turtles yesterday, one Hawksbill on Sunday.

Yesterday afternoon we had a Plankton lab, lots of copepods and other exciting small organisms! It's truly incredible the intricacy and complexity of their tiny bodies.

Today we had a lecture on pollution. WOW. Don't do it. A plastic bottle takes 460 years to decompose, in this time it will become smaller and smaller. Many beloved organisms mistake plastic for prey, because it looks very similar to jellies, small fish and plankton. I could post lots of sad pictures, but I wont do that to you. It's too devestating. Just make an effort to use less plastic. Choose that glass bottle instead of plastic when buying said product (then recycle that glass). Every time you purchase something you are expressing your voice as a consumer.

Went on an awesome night dive! Beautiful fluorescence, Tarpin everywhere (I touched 2, just dont tell the Marine park, they are magnificent creatures, the silver gardians of the night). Trying to get as much water time as possible in these last few days!  

Snorkeling Photos !

Just a few pictures from our Sunday afternoon excursions..

All smiles after a day on Klein

note the Scientology cruise ship in the distance

Golden Children

What a beaut ! 

tiny fish melt my heart

Ostracod night dive

Thursday: Approximately 45 minutes after sunset we entered the water to witness the most incredible light show. Only 4 days after the full moon do Ostracods put on this incredible mating display. These tiny arthropods are only known to mate in the Caribbean. It looks like a million little fire works underwater..

It was also wonderful going on a night dive without relying on our lights. Just floating in the water watching the ostracods, so peaceful. After the show we roamed around (lights on), I found an octopus and scorpionfish. Our lights also attracted a lot of strange worms and fish larvae. I held some larvae in my hand! They felt like glass, I could see right through them.

Today we spend the day on Klein Bonaire the small uninhabited island only a short boat ride from the harbor. Can't believe my time heres almost over. One more week, gotta soak it up!

florescence and frogfish

On monday we made the tough decision to go on a night dive. There's something magical about being underwater in complete darkness with just the beam from your flashlight illuminating your observable world. Jack let me spend a little one on one time with his blue light, let the florescence  infatuation continue! There are really no words to describe this experience, the whole reef is a glow, corals, sponges, and other various animals. Its like a rave in the ocean!

But these are my favorite! One swam right in front of my face.

Today: After a day spent learning about reef fish behavior and invasive species (Remember folks Lionfish are venomous not poisonous)  We dove. With the plan to observe fish behavior, particularly mating, cleaning and territorial displays. With every new dive and every new task underwater, it's like I'm seeing the reef for the first time. So many new things to observe. Unarguably, the top find of the dive was the DSO finding a Frogfish. The highly camouflaged and elusive fish are VERY hard to spot! They're one of the ugliest fish I've ever seen, but as my professor says they're so ugly they're almost cute. Then Mike pointed out a spotted eagle ray. What can I say, just another great day on the reef! 

videos to check out!

Tricia, the lovely Minnesotan, made this video from our adventures in the last few weeks!
http://youtu.be/0YWZ2x3omgQ

Today in class we watched The Cove, a great documentary that exposes the mass dolphin killings happening in Japan. It is an excellent movie! I suggest you watch it.
This is the web site with information on the current status in Japan and what efforts are being made to discontinue these cruelties.
http://www.takepart.com/cove