So ok, this is the only update *actually* from 8/27. Updates abound!,br>
So ok, I *did* see my first orcas at Lime Kiln! Unfortunately the were so far off that they were tiny in my binocs, and it doesnt feel real. So until I can get a recognizable picture, I dont think I’m going to officially count the experience :). Despite the fact that the whales were far off, I saw a couple really cute ducks, two GBHerons, few harbor seals among the kelp (which is quite nifty) and eating fish, as well as a couple harbor porpoises and possibly some Dall’s porpoises! The Dalls I’m also waiting to make official though, haha.
So lets see… this program is intense! We’re in class by 8:30 am, and doneish around 5pm – and even with the couple hours of breaks in between, I’m exhausted and ready to pass out by 10:30pm! The first drfat of our research proposal is due Monday (yes, tomorrow) and I’m feeling good about mine. I’ve already started jotting down some ideas for how I want to collect data and my experimental design and whatnot. multiple hypothesis, null hyp… etc. Whoohoo! <3!
We’ve been meeting some “real live scientist folk” and of course, that’s been cool. Val’s got some pretty cool stuff going on, with his hydrophones and vocalization anylization programs and such – and they’re about to bring Raven into the mix, which will be nice since I’m a little familiar with it.
One of the absolute highlights so far though has really been the evening with John Stern at the temp home of the Center for Whale Research! John was giving his talk on Mikes and he’s really an authority on the topic. I should start by prefacing with the fact that this evening was in a house up and part of the way back down a mountain. But it looked down into the waters of Haro Strait on the west side and across to Vancouver Island… so it was worth the drive. So, the evening was set in this very quirky eclectic house, full of weathered and renoun scientists like Ken Balcombthis alone made my night. I felt like I’d walked into one of Alexandra Mortons stories about the scientist’s frequent gatherings where they all sat down and discussed their work. John is quite eccentric, and it was wonderful watching his presentation. He got very excited about Random walks and Levy’s in the foraging pattern of Mikes, and I have to admit, despite the mathi-ness, it was quite cool. Before we left I got a great DVD/CD with pics, video, id charts and Vocalizations of the S. Res. I can’t wait to start memorizing and becoming familiar with it all. I really hope we have more evenings like this!
Lets see. other news. We’ve started preping meals for each other, and I had the first night. I made Chichen, broccoli, mushroom, fettucini alfredo, and it was very yummy. One of the best I’ve made in a while. (note to self – buy some basil flavored olive oil when you get home). Friday night Emily and Rena made a veggie stir fry with rice and that was delicious too.
Friday we had our rowing orientation and our swim test – we got to dive into nice wram 54 degree water! It was cold, but luckily not as bad as we’d all ramped it up to be, although you wont find me diving back in anytime soon unless I’m in my 5mil suit. There was a harbor seal actually swiming around about 30yards away, and I was kinda hoping he’d come over, but that’s because I’m too foolish to know better.
Friday night was also a really great time – we went to see a free production of Shakespeares’ Merchant of Venice. Apparently, his most controvercial play due to the antisemtic aspects that resound through it. The troupe decided to act it, in a statement of the current state of the world, and the hate that is so rampant (against all religions, races etc). It was very well acted and I enjoyed it thouroughly, probably moreso than I would have it I had read it prior, because then I would not have likely interpreted it the way I did with their preface.
Lastly, yesterday I spent in town. Donna, Rena and I went food shopping, but first we stopped at a farmers market where I had a absolutely delicious Lavender Limeade. After food shopping Rena and I went to the whale musesum (where I bough more orca vocalizations cds, but this time of the N. res) and then went our seperate ways around town. I think I covered most of it, and I found some really neat stores and some lovely galleries which I’ll have to bring my parents to when they come at the end of the program. I had lunch at a great restraunt called Downriggers, shrimp scampi with cheesy garlic bread and a glass of local white zinfandel. Very good, although the wine was a little strong for my taste – but hey, I’m new to white wine. Bought some stunning yarn after than and walked home soon after – picking blackberries along the way. The island is COVERED with blackberries. I picked at least a pound of them and they were wicked good. it’s only about a 20min walk to the labs, which is very nice. I got home and knit up the skein of yarn I bought – it was brilliant, looked like it had litterally been sheared, spun and dyed it was a great mix of very yarn wooly yarn and soft silky locks… it also required size 35needles, but that let me get two squares out of ~34yrds – and then started working on my proposal. I’ve got to finish that up today and then I supose that’ll get posted on the beam reach page… haha.
Ok, hopefully this will be the last riddiculously long (and random) entry :). Bye all!
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Check in was today, but I’m ahead of myself.
Washington was incredible, beautiful land, water, air, weather, wildlife, people… I love it here. Spent Friday hanging around with Sandy – shopping for my faboo binocs, and other essentials, and dinner at the mouth watering Lobster Pot – where I had the best salmon I have ever tasted. yummmm!Saturday we drove to Belling ham to chill with Suzie – farmers market (and the biggest blackberries I’ve ever seen), yarn stores, and other fun shops. Sunday we were up at the friggin crack of dawn so we could catch the Anacortes ferry to Friday Harbor.
The ferry over was great, so stunning and so peaceful. San Juan Island and Friday Harbor are lovely, the town is so Adorable! We (Sandy, Suzi, Sebastian & I) shopped around a bit and enjoyed some lunch. So nice :).
So back to check in. I’ve got my own room, and it faces the water. nuf said. The two girls I’m living with -Erin from NH (and a SEA sailor who’s also been on Westward!) and Emily from PA are both nice and fun to chat with. The other girls, Rena from LA (who studies owls and can do calls), Peggy from WA (as crazy as me when it comes to orcas!), and Colleen from CO are also cool. My fears about a program of all girls were rapidly calmed. Our main instructors, Jason and Donna seem great too.
I’m so psyched – we’re oing to Lime Kiln tomorrow to hike around a bit – should be loads of fun. I really hope some whales pass close to shore – I’m giddy to see an orca!! Oh my goodness. well I’ll leave you on a cheerful note: I’m pooped and have a headache! (but in a good way!) Time for bed! orca <3! 🙂
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Scott’s second baby of the month is born and thriving. Cora was born on August 10th and is such a sweet little baby! And now, Beam Reach is one week old and seems also to be vital and thriving. Congratulations, Scott.
And congratulations to Jason and Donna for such elegant and successful directing of this first week of Beam Reach.
Beam Reachers! I sense your energy and drive — it just exudes. You are launched into a unique intellectual and experiential adventure.
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I spoke with my mom last night for the first time since arriving on the island (minus the imperative ‘yes Mom, I made it and I’m alive’ calls) and her first question was, “So how’s your new life?” After just about a week here on San Juan Island as part of the Beam Reach program, I’m ready to answer that question.
I arrived last Sunday quite exhausted after a whirlwind of a summer and hit the ground running. Monday we spent the day at Lime Kiln Park, one of the best onshore areas in which to view the killer whales that forage along the west coast of San Juan Islands-no whales though, just a few harbor seals, porpoises, and an introduction to the hydrophone system set up at the lighthouse. The rest of Monday and Tuesday were filled with numerous orientations to the Friday Harbor Laboratories and Beam Reach. Wednesday the introductions continued with Dr. Val Veirs, some of his research, his equipment, and his lovely home. While devouring scrumptious homemade muffins by Leslie Veirs, we listened to Fred Felleman, an island local, past killer whale researcher, and adamant whale activist. As the week progressed we focused a bit more on academics, covering concepts of acoustics, resident foraging strategies and prey types, the SoundWatch program, Donna’s research on spatial patterns in southern residents and Jason’s research on African Elephants. From this new information and our own independent research, we’ve all finally decided on a direction for our own research projects.
My priorities for the project were to develop a feasible proposal, incorporate some form of behavior related to the southern residents’ complex and stable social structure, and learn a new technical skill in marine mammal research. After throwing around an number of viable ideas, I’ve decided to compare the unique and stereotyped pulsed calls and tonal whistles to the surface behavior and group spread of the southern residents. In dolphins, whistles are predominantly used in long-range communication to facilitate group cohesion whereas in the northern residents whistles are used in close-range social contact. I’m hoping to be able to detect a difference in call type with respect to behavior.
This weekend we are responsible for developing a rough draft for our proposed projects. Last night we took a break and watched The Merchant of Venice production by the local Shakespearean troupe, and I’ve worked on it a bit today, but also took the opportunity to enjoy the glorious weather and walk into the town of Friday Harbor to pay a visit to the Whale Museum, the local ice cream parlor, and a few little shops along the water. Maybe this evening I’ll take a run along the fire trail and settle down to watch a movie with my classmates.
So this is my new life, living in Friday Harbor, learning the ins and outs of the southern resident killer whales, acoustics, and the Beam Reach program. The next two weeks will be similar-a few classes on research methods and statistics, more introductions to other researchers and organizations on the island, and further development of our research proposals…wish me luck!
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Well today was the day and we all new it was coming: The Swim Test. We first learned how totie some knots, which let me add I am not so good. I got only one of the four or five down pack. Erin is great since she was living on a sail boat for a semester. I think I will stay around her when it’s time to learn again. We then had a little rowing adventure by the dock’s side. Out to a piling and back was the extent of our adventure. Colleen was my partner in the boat and I felt bad for her because I was no good at that either. I didn’t suck, but rather needed a huge improvement. Ok here it comes the swim test. I had first walked out there with my heavy Monterey Bay reversible fleece jacket so I could get nice and hot, then the water would look inviting. Nah! The water still looked cold.
After walking around the dock trying to find a good place to jump off of we found some ladders we could swim to and get out of the freezing cold water. Val and Leslie had joined us and we were very excited to see that Val was going to get in with us. Then I was shocked to see him jump in first. Jason was second to jump in and they were floating around acting like the water was anything but cold (Val was more convincing than Jason). We eventually all went in. Donna and i were the last ones and she suggested we go in at the same time. I had to do it or else I was going to just stand there and stare and the water. Well no one screamed after they jumped in except me. No one heard me since it was underwater and I swallowed a whole chunk of salty sea water and probably some oil from the boats docked there. I raced Donna to the ladder so to get out of the freezing cold waterfirst. Luckily it was a nice 78 degrees and once we climbed the ladder it was warm. Leslie got some pretty get pictures and I can’t wait to see them up on the blogbook.
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here are a quick glimpse into the area I am at, now can you see how beautiful it is. I hope to add great orca pics real soon.
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My first day of school normally starts with 150 nervous 7th graders inquiring what middle school math will look like and what they will be covering this year. I have taken a sabatical this year and I have to say that it has been very weird to not go through the steps of buying new school/teacher clothes, setting up my classroom, and mentally preparing myself for a brand new year. I am actually in the reverse roll, because I’m currently enrolled in Beam Reach: Marine Science and Sustainability School. I’m currently on beautiful San Juan Island and on the waters of the Salish Sea for the next 10 weeks. I’m so looking forward to new experiences and hope to explore the idea of a masters in Marine Biology. We were at Lime Kiln today doing an introductory activity and J,K,and L were just south of us. I will have to admit that I was not a very focused student, because my eyes were more in my binoculars than in my notebook. Smile! Please ask me questions about the classes I am taking and I would love to share in more detail. I’ll give you a quick overview of my schedule so you know when I’m here at the Friday Harbor Marine Labs. Call me or email me, I’m not that far away. So, for the next three weeks we will be here on land; formulating our research question and laying out the proposal for our project. Then we will go to sea for two weeks and try out our methodology, sampling protocols, and get familiar with our sustainable life at sea. We’ll follow this with one week back at the labs, analyzing our preliminary data and verifying that we are on track with our research project. Then we head out for three weeks at sea (eeee…I can’t tell you how excited I am for that). Finally, our last week will be on land. Looking over our data, analyzing it, and writing up our findings. Our presentations will be to a high stakes audience to reveal all that we had studied and learned. Well, I’m off to class for now. Enjoy the sunshine!
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It has been marvellous and frustrating to be administering Beam Reach from Seattle on the first days of the fall 2006 program. I feel a simultaneous urge to rush up and be part of every moment in the syllabus and a great satisfaction that the Beam Reach ship is sailing along without me being involved in adjusting every line.
I hope this first blogbook entry will inspire new students and instructors alike to share their experiences on-line. It really is a rare thing these days to delve deeply into a critical issue and one’s own curiosities. That our research theme centers on orcas, an inherently awe-inspiring and communicative species, just makes the opportunity that much more intriguing.
I’d like to share two journal entries I made almost precisely a year ago, during the first couple days of the first Beam Reach program. They drive home the sense I have again today: that we are just scratching the surface of our human involvement in the decline and unprecedented alteration of the oceans.
Sunday 08/21/2005 05:30
“How much does an ecosystem have to change before we alter our values to restore it? To answer the question, one really has to do two difficult things: understand the ecosystem well enough to determine which human actions are driving the change; and discern what changes in human behavior will benefit the ecosystem at least cost.
Beam Reach is all about addressing this question in the marine environment through sustainability science. This is daunting because it is technologically difficult to analyze how marine ecosystems function and to quantify the costs/benefits of human actions within them. It is also a challenge because scientists are used to understanding a ecosystem problem, but have not traditionally studied how to solve it (through economic, technological, and/or political methods).
In the Pacific Northwest, we have an interesting range of cases in which this broad question has been tackled. Invariably they begin with the decline of a species — whether high-profile or obscure — and evolves to a broad investigation of its ecosystem. At present, we are considering a charismatic megafaunum, the southern resident orcas. We are also currently struggling with another deeply valued animal, the wild salmon. We can report the successful restoration of the iconic American bald eagle. Great sums have been invested recently in assessing the Stellar sea lion, which most people don’t value in particular. And we are still evaluating the status of the northern spotted owl, a species that many people hate as much as orcas used to be reviled.
If it turns out that noise from cargo ships is the main risk to orcas staying in residence, at what point will human individuals and society mitigate the acoustic impact? Will orcas, inherently wonderful and with ecotourism value of about $1M/animal, be compared economically with the goods being transported through the great ports of our region? How much would it cost to make those ships quiet?”
Wednesday 08/24/2005 (2:05am 8/25)
“It is strange to reside in such a beautiful marine setting while reading articles and hearing speakers declare emphatically that marine ecosystems are in collapse. With a nostalgia as invigorating as the fresh evening air, I stepped out onto the Fernald Lab deck to gaze at the half-full, waning moon. Friday Harbor rippled in the dark waters and the wet beach glistened beneath me. After strolling back to the duplex, I found emailed news about marine extinctions and prepared to introduce 2 speakers who document the decline of pelagic fish and orcas in our oceans.
Bleary eyed, I ease into bed wondering where the southern residents are tonight. Are we really helping the whales, as I tell my son Liam when he asks what I do with Beam Reach?”
Just as I came across unnerving news regarding the marine plight last year, today I came across an L.A. Times series called “Altered Oceans.” Reading through the part on ocean acidification while my newborn daughter snored beside me, I was felt downright worried about the anthropogenic perturbations of the globe we are set to experience in the 21st century. Nevertheless, I am optimistic that Beam Reach is a small step in the right direction and I’m very excited to continue contemplating how to forge a sustainable relationship between humanity and the seas.
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I just got here to Friday Harbor and it is beautiful. I hope all would be able to have the experience I am about to embark but realize they cannot, so I am to describe what I learn and feel and hope I do it justice. This has been my first access to the internet so I will keep it short. I saw my first wild orca today through binoculars. They were so far away and I can’t wait to get a safe closer look.
I would like to quote our presidente Scott Viers who wrote in his blog:
“How much does an ecosystem have to change before we alter our values to restore it? To answer the question, one really has to do two difficult things: understand the ecosystem well enough to determine which human actions are driving the change; and discern what changes in human behavior will benefit the ecosystem at least cost”
I hope to get more than just the tip of the iceberg to those two difficult things and even more to do it in ten weeks.
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