Hi everyone! Welcome to our first student blog post! Our names our Andrew Tengen and Samuel Bott. Today we were able to embark on our first ocean snorkeling adventure to Grahams Harbor and Singer’s Point.
We started our day off at an early 7:30am for breakfast at the cafeteria. We were fortunate enough to get a good meal of eggs, grits, and oatmeal. After breakfast we gathered up all of our snorkeling gear and headed out. Our first snorkeling to adventure led us to Grahams Harbor which gives home to a large area of sea grass, however we we’re able to identify many different organisms seeking refuge in the harbor. Highlights of the first trip included many different colored Cushion Stars, small and large Spiny Lobsters, many different algae, as well as tons of different aquatic plants and animals. Unfortunately we ran into lots of rain and cloud cover, but that did not deter us from having a great time. We spent almost a full hour exploring Grahams Harbor; with purpose to get better acquainted with our snorkeling gear and the ocean as a whole. After the snorkeling ended we were released to work in our journals to talk about all of the things that we encountered. These entries include taking GPS coordinates, wind speed, temperature, and many other biotic and abiotic factors in order to help us for future projects. Other things that are included are color, size, and adaptations of the marine life that we encountered. After journaling we were able to get some free time in which we played volleyball, communicate to family and friends, or get some much deserved rest in our rooms.
After our small break we went to the cafeteria for our second meal of the day. Lunch was served at noon. The meal consisted of meat and noodle bake, deli sandwiches, salad, grape Kool aid, and cookies. It was very filling! On the board that is located in the cafeteria our professors Welch, Reinsel, and Phillips wrote what we needed for the afternoon adventure. From there we reapplied sunscreen, met underneath the pavilion at 1:30 pm, and ventured out to our new destination.
It was a slightly warm 82.4 degrees Fahrenheit with 100% cloud cover, the tide falling till 5:38 pm, and wind of 4.2 mph. Our destination was Singer’s Point, located NW of the Gerace Research Center at 24.12059 degrees North and 79.47309 degrees West. Our mission for the afternoon was continuing to snorkel, identifying different types of fish, narrowing them by size and characteristics. These identifications were done using our Reef Fish in-a-pocket that we can take in the ocean with us. How cool!? Here on San Salvador there are many different vibrant colorful fish in the reefs located right off the coast! You don’t even need to go 20 yards until you reach reefs chalk full of interesting looking fish species. Some examples of fish seen were Blue Tang, Bluehead, Peacock Flounder, Barracuda, Queen Triggerfish, Black Durgon, Smooth Trunkfish, female striped parrotfish, Longjaw Squirrelfish, and Butter Hamlet, among others. In snorkeling you have to be watchful or you will totally miss some of these little guys hiding underneath rocks or camouflaging into the surrounding vegetation. This second session of snorkeling was a great way to end our field day work.
As we walked back to the GRC, we talked about local history and the Australian Pine Trees. Hurricanes effect the top halves of plants due to the salt water being thrown every each way. As a result vegetation was not as thick as usually found. Dinner was at 5:15 pm. In between the field and dinner we washed off our gear, took showers, rested, and communicated home. Dinner consisted of rice, beans, vegetables, BBQ chicken, Cole slaw, banana cinnamon bread, and grape Kool aid. The cooks down here are great cooks and treat everyone so well.
Lecture followed at 7:30 pm where we discussed our day’s activities and went over plants, algae, and different phylums of invertebrates and vertebrates. Class concluded with a plan for tomorrow and a group coloring book session. Stay tuned for more fun in the Sun from your Wittenberg Students down in San Salvador, Bahamas.
P.S. Bahamian dogs casually just walk around the island and will come up to you wanting attention. Such beach bums. What a good life!
-Andrew Tengen ’18 Samuel Bott ‘19