We Saw Ponies!!!

Let's start with yesterday, since I forgot to post last night.

Yesterday, we went to Assateague to collect some invertebrates for our experiments that we did today. But, while in the field we also worked on identifying more species. So we stopped a few times on our way to Tom's Cove in Assateague, to get out of the van an see what was around. This was mostly because the entire class was struggling with birds, so she wanted to emphasis the bird identification while we were in the field. Well, on the first stop we made, we saw the ponies!!! We did not see the entire team of them, but there were at least 8. I didn't get to take a picture either, unfortunately, because they were about 150 yards away, and I only had my underwater camera, which requires the subjects to be close.

When we finally got into the cove, and started working, the sky decided to rain on our parade, literally. Luckily, it only lasted a few minutes. The bugs at the cove were terrible though. I am sure I have a few more bites that I am not aware of. My legs are covered in bites and poison ivy so its hard to tell what is new and old now.

So on to today. Today we had a we went out trawling on the boat again. Last time, we only got 2 trawls in, but this time we got in 4. We caught some more flounder, some sea robins, pipefish, and a lot of crabs and hermit crabs. Also, a lot of algae and seaweed. There were a few other fish that we caught as well, but we haven't identified those yet.

We got back to the lab around 11. We acclimated the fish we brought back to their temporary home, and went to lunch at 12. At 1, we met back at the lab to begin our experiments. We were allowed to do the experiment on our own, or work with one other person. I am working with someone. Also every one is working with different animals. My partner and I are working with shrimp. Others are working with snails, hermit crabs, and anemones. She gave us a choice of turning in one paper, in which we would get the same grade, or turning in two separate papers, and each getting individual grades. I normally like to turn in my own separate paper, but I have decided to team up with my partner and just turn in one paper. There are a lot of graphs, tables, and figures that need to be made, and there is no sense in each of us having to make them all, all by our selves. Plus, I trust that he will make a decent effort and he was already had great input and ideas concerning the paper. So I am comfortable turning in one paper. Besides, we are trying to finish this paper by the weekend so we can go to the beach.

I am hoping to get to take my camera with and get some really nice pictures.

Right now we are on standby until our lecture at 5pm. Then dinner at 6pm, and most likely studying for friday's exam after dinner. I know a lot of the information that will be on this exam, because of previous classes I have taken. So I am hoping that it won't be too difficult.