DEV GHS Marine Biology

The entire GHS Marine Bio crew feasted on grilled chicken donated by Galen and Sue.  This generous offer fed a large number of people and helped keep down the cost for the students.

I was beginning to wonder if any other big creatures, besides the turtles, would reveal themselves in the Lime Tree bay.  As I sat working at the table in the Tree House, our condo, my eyes were suddenly drawn to the water. Through the window, to my amazement, large boiling swells appeared about 100 yards off shore.  Before I knew it, I covered 30 yards of sharp gravel in bare feet and was waist deep in water trying to make out what was causing such aquatic turmoil.  As I ran, I was shouting “Big animal!” and people came running to the edge of the land, straining to see the large shadows moving through the bay.

As soon as a grayish glob of flesh breached the surface, I recognized the odd manatee snout.  I spun and plowed through the water to land, grabbed the camera and raced over more gravel to grab the McFadden’s kayak paddle and life vest.  Then I attempted to “sprint” another 50 yards over more gravel to the kayak.  (It is better described as the “50-yard middle-aged ouchy gravel dance”.)

Just before I reached the kayak, I heard a splash and glanced over to see the crowd on the pier watch Rob Andrews dive into the water and free-style to catch up with the creature.  I checked the water depth and made sure he was okay as I paddled past him.  I suddenly saw, it wasn’t one manatee, but four!  They slowed and Rob was able to stand in the chest-deep water as the pod made a circle around him before moving down the shoreline.  Wow.
[flashvideo file=http://marinebio.goshenschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/3Manatees.flv /]

[flashvideo file=http://marinebio.goshenschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Rob-Encircled.flv /]

Tomorrow groups are going to Pennekamp or the Dry Torgugas.  The weather has been great, although the evidence of the winter’s below average water tempatures is very evident.  Apparently, large numbers of fish and other marine life were not able to live through some extended periods of water temperatures down around 45 degrees.  We aren’t seeing as many fish and rays as other years.

The charter bus of students and chaperones arrived Friday around 3 pm. Unbeknownst to most of them, three sea turtles swam into the “bay” as if to greet the 37th groups of GHS marine biology students. The above image is of one turtle, “Stumpy” who had lost part of its front left flipper-like leg.

Here is a Flash video of Stumpy: Stumpy Says Hello
[flashvideo file=http://districttest.goshenschools.org/marinebio/files/2010/04/Stumpy.flv /]

This year three International Baccalaureate Art students will travel with the Marine Biology trip as a part of their IB Art studies. They will be lead by GHS art teacher Cindy Cooper.

Over 100 t-shirts were ordered!
Thanks Rosanna for making this opportunity available.

T-Shirt

Rosanna McFadden designed a t-shirt for this year’s trip.  It will print front and back, navy blue and white on turquoise shirts. Here is the basic design, similar to the Life is Good design. 

Thursday, April 1 (8:30 am) until Sunday April 11 (around 5:30 pm)

This is the 37th year for the GHS Marine Biology trip.
We will leave on Thursday, April 1 and arrive  Friday afternoon at Lime Tree Bay Resort located on Long Key in the City of Layton, Florida.

Google Map of Layton, FL