This morning I set my cellphone alarm to go off at 6:00am. When it rang, I thought I'd like to sleep another 30 minutes. So I reset the alarm, dozed off, and awoke to a bright sunlight... and the alarm didn't ring. So I jumped up and saw the time of 6:52am. Lee said he would pick us up for breakfast at 7 am. I knocked quickly on Aimee's door and told her the time, but she said it was only 5:52 am. She said AZ and CA have the same time. I didn't understand until later when Lee told me that my cell phone is picking up from a tower in New Mexico, which is about 8-10 miles to our east. So I've actually been awake since 5:42. I think I'll be ready for sleep by the time the sun goes down.
After a wonderful, filling breakfast, we were given about an hour to ourselves until our "jobs" began. Some of us were assigned to the lab, some to collect a "general collection" with Dave Wagner, and some to collect for Lee which involves counting leaves on the tree/bush. So collecting for Dave is much easier because you can just "beat the bush", place your findings in a bag, and off you go to another tree/bush. Suoko, Jared, and I were assigned to collect for Lee. But we had reinforcements: Mike Singer, professor at Wesleyan College in CT who is very knowledgeable in plant identification as well as caterpillar, was our lead guide. He was very easy going and helped us improve in our techniques of collecting.
Dave Wagner and his group collected in the general area that we were in. But when plants or caterpillars challenged Mike, he called the "pro" which is Dave. He is the premier expert of the United States because of his book, "Caterpillars of Eastern North America: a Guide to Identification and Natural History". I've mentioned his book in previous blogs, but I didn't know the proper title. We understand this book is the most used selection by scientists in North America. So we are very fortunate to be in his company. He is very dedicated to his work and is beginning to collect specimens for a new book on western caterpillars. I would imagine it will take years to gather information and publish it because he is so meticulous. I know I'll purchase this book for my personal and professional library.
In the afternoon, Angela who is a post-doctoral student in CT, drove the entire group to the campground where she and Lee are staying to collect. We were not as successful as this morning. But nonetheless, we found a few caterpillars. Our work this afternoon involved digging underneath oak trees because ants eat the "fras" of caterpillars (fras is feces). Caterpillars sometimes hide during the day in the moist soil under the canopy of oaks. We were not successful at all. The only thing I "collected" was an army of ants all over me!!! Before I knew it, black ants, who also like to bite were up my legs, on my shoulders and even inside my pants legs. So I did some very quick hopping and dancing while Judy tried to swat them off. I thought I would literally have to take my pants off. Fortunately for all, I was able to rid myself of them in a short time. This would be very amusing.
Time to close for the evening. Stay tuned!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Day 3 August 7, 2009
Today we left LaQuinta Inn and Tucson. Dave Wagner and his son, Ryan, joined us last night at the hotel. He drove a minivan, all our luggage, and 2 team members and his son to Cave Creek. So the rest of us traveled with Lee in the 12 passenger van. We stopped for lunch at a roadside rest area and ate left over cold pizzas and breadsticks, and made sandwiches with turkey and cheese from food he purchased at Whole Foods.
We stopped off of I80 at a pass to make a collection of caterpillars. It was very barren and after about an hour or so, Lee said we would just go to Cave Creek, get settled in our cabins, and then collect in that area. He had never stayed at Cave Creek and once we arrived and saw the beauty of the area, we were very pleasantly surprised. 4 of the team are staying in the Stone House which is made of stone. Junko, Suoko, Aimee, and I are in the Ranch House and it is huge! There are 3 bedrooms upstairs with one full bath and a bedroom downstairs. The living area is very large and has a fireplace with stone walls from floor to ceiling. The kitchen is quite large for a cabin. Lee wished he had known because we might have bought more food and cooked here on occassions.
After we chose our cabins and bedrooms, we split up into different groups. Junko, Suoco, and myself starting collecting caterpillars. Another group of 4 collected also in the area of Cave Creek. Lee drove 3 up to the research station to begin setup in the lab. Later we found out that Kathy and Aimee stayed with Dave and his son to collect at the campsite Lee was staying in and they hit the jackpot with many great finds!
Lee picked us up about 5:30 and drove us to the research station for dinner. They literally ring the dinner bell outside announcing that dinner is served. It wasn't fancy, but it sure hit the spot! Beef, mushrooms, and gravy over spiral pasta, carrots and peas, mixed salad, apple cobbler and vanilla ice cream. It was very filling and the homemade cobbler was a nice ending.
Lee showed us where we will work in the lab and set us up for our assignments for the morning. I will start out with Jared and Suoco collecting caterpillars from the junipers. So we will "beat the bushes" until lunchtime. Everyone will switch jobs after lunchtime. I am excited about working in the lab. Thoses tasks will include taking pictures of caterpillars, counting, measuring, and placing them where they will mature. I'm not sure exactly where or how Lee plans on doing that, but this info should be included in my next blog.
I forgot to mention that we drove into New Mexico on the way here and moved in and out of a time zone without even knowing it! I didn't bring a watch with me because I didn't want to "live by the minute" on this expedition. I rely on others with their watch when time factors are important such as "meeting Lee and the van for dinner".......4 in our group were not able to be found when we needed to leave for dinner this evening and they were left behind. Dave stayed behind in his minivan and found them within 10 minutes in Jared and John's cabin. Apparently Kathy didn't check their cabin and only the stone house. This became a "constant jab" back and forth all night in a lighthearted way.........with jokes back and forth about "watch out what you find in your cabin or bed at night", etc......haven't seen any scorpions yet. BUT, the late dinner group did see a 4 foot rattlesnake along side the road on the way to dinner. They took great pictures..........so this is a very good reminder to all of us: WATCH OUT FOR SNAKES!
I don't want to encounter one without being on the lookout.
It's late and I need to close. Everyone was told that internet was not available at Cave Creek but I signed on just to try and I found a Lincsys somewhere and I've not had any problems. Guess someone forgot to update the owner/manager that there is internet here! I'm greatful!
Until tomorrow.........I hope to upload some pictures on my next blog.
We stopped off of I80 at a pass to make a collection of caterpillars. It was very barren and after about an hour or so, Lee said we would just go to Cave Creek, get settled in our cabins, and then collect in that area. He had never stayed at Cave Creek and once we arrived and saw the beauty of the area, we were very pleasantly surprised. 4 of the team are staying in the Stone House which is made of stone. Junko, Suoko, Aimee, and I are in the Ranch House and it is huge! There are 3 bedrooms upstairs with one full bath and a bedroom downstairs. The living area is very large and has a fireplace with stone walls from floor to ceiling. The kitchen is quite large for a cabin. Lee wished he had known because we might have bought more food and cooked here on occassions.
After we chose our cabins and bedrooms, we split up into different groups. Junko, Suoco, and myself starting collecting caterpillars. Another group of 4 collected also in the area of Cave Creek. Lee drove 3 up to the research station to begin setup in the lab. Later we found out that Kathy and Aimee stayed with Dave and his son to collect at the campsite Lee was staying in and they hit the jackpot with many great finds!
Lee picked us up about 5:30 and drove us to the research station for dinner. They literally ring the dinner bell outside announcing that dinner is served. It wasn't fancy, but it sure hit the spot! Beef, mushrooms, and gravy over spiral pasta, carrots and peas, mixed salad, apple cobbler and vanilla ice cream. It was very filling and the homemade cobbler was a nice ending.
Lee showed us where we will work in the lab and set us up for our assignments for the morning. I will start out with Jared and Suoco collecting caterpillars from the junipers. So we will "beat the bushes" until lunchtime. Everyone will switch jobs after lunchtime. I am excited about working in the lab. Thoses tasks will include taking pictures of caterpillars, counting, measuring, and placing them where they will mature. I'm not sure exactly where or how Lee plans on doing that, but this info should be included in my next blog.
I forgot to mention that we drove into New Mexico on the way here and moved in and out of a time zone without even knowing it! I didn't bring a watch with me because I didn't want to "live by the minute" on this expedition. I rely on others with their watch when time factors are important such as "meeting Lee and the van for dinner".......4 in our group were not able to be found when we needed to leave for dinner this evening and they were left behind. Dave stayed behind in his minivan and found them within 10 minutes in Jared and John's cabin. Apparently Kathy didn't check their cabin and only the stone house. This became a "constant jab" back and forth all night in a lighthearted way.........with jokes back and forth about "watch out what you find in your cabin or bed at night", etc......haven't seen any scorpions yet. BUT, the late dinner group did see a 4 foot rattlesnake along side the road on the way to dinner. They took great pictures..........so this is a very good reminder to all of us: WATCH OUT FOR SNAKES!
I don't want to encounter one without being on the lookout.
It's late and I need to close. Everyone was told that internet was not available at Cave Creek but I signed on just to try and I found a Lincsys somewhere and I've not had any problems. Guess someone forgot to update the owner/manager that there is internet here! I'm greatful!
Until tomorrow.........I hope to upload some pictures on my next blog.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Day 2 August 6, 2009
What a long and educational day this has been. We awoke very early for breakfast so we could be ready for a 7:00 am talk by Dr. Lee Dyer. There were 3 aspects of this talk: #1 Diversity of interactions and latitudinal gradients, #2 Tritrophic view of specialization, #3 Climate Change.
Now you know there will be a test at the end of my notes, so pay attention. Now I know you all are laughing. You can tell that this expedition isn't a vacation by any means. Our talk this morning was on a graduate level and towards the end, we all were on information overload. Ultimately, Lee's research is based around the premise of how does the number of interactions change between species as you move through latitudinal gradients. HIs focus is on adult stages of caterpillars. Juvenile caterpillars that are collected are reared to adult in the labs at the various sites of his research (Equador, Costa Rica, Louisiana, Arizona, CA/Nevada). He does not have people at the Arizona site, so he often asks the workers there to rear his caterpillars.
We have learned that his home, along with his lab at Tulane University were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. His son, Camden, lives with his mother and her home was not destroyed. Since he had collected data since 1994, he had a great amount prior to the habitats being destroyed. An Earthwatch team went in to New Orleans and studied the beta diversity. This means that 100% of the species had changed; which occurred with this natural disaster.
After Lee's talk, he drove all 10 of us (8 from the US and 2 from Japan) to the Sonoran Desert Museum. He promised that this would be the best introduction to the desert and he was right on! This place was phenomenal in that the cacti and other plants were identified with signs. There was a beautiful aviary, hummingbird aviary, cacti garden (even though cacti were everywhere!), a mountain lion exhibit, and an underground beaver's den where we saw them sleeping. There was a pollination garden, desert grassland and mountain woodland area. We became very heated and rested in a wonderful restaurant around 12:30. The lunch break gave us a chance to sit and cool down. It was well needed.
We shopped in a small gift shop and bought weather resistant foldout flyers on various subjects: Arizona Trees and Shrubs, Night Sky, Butterflies and Moths, and Desert Plants. After this small shopping excursion, we entered an underground tunnel area where we could observe the "life underground". This was the place where we realized how hot is really was outside. There was a sign that stated the temperature inside the tunnel and the outside temp of 114F! I have never been in such extreme temps in my life! We were all in agreement that it really felt like that outside!
Lee had left us for this portion of the day to pick up Dave Wagner and his son. Dr. Wagner is the author of the book "Eastern Caterpillars" and is beginning his book on western caterpillars, hence his reason for attending our expedition. Lee also was scouting out some collection sites for us to "practice" collecting samples. So Lee picked us up about 2:30 and drove us to a park area called Grant's Pass. He showed us the high-tech methods of collecting caterpillars. You take a stick and beat the bush while holding a collection screen underneath. Then you carefully observe everything that falls onto the screen. Lee said we have to count the number of leaves on each bush by using a very quick guestimate. Yes, we have to count the leaves in a very unscientific way. So we practiced counting and it is amazing how many different ways to count leaves. We also can just observe the stems of the shrubs for caterpillars, but this method did not prove successful. We separated into 2 groups of 5. The other group collected successfully from the acacia tree and shouted with joy upon each finding. Well, we were unsuccessful by beating the living daylights out of the ocotillo shrub. When we were disheartened, Lee said we could try collecting from the palo verde shrub. Junka discovered a very tiny movement on our screen and low and behold we finally had one tiny caterpillar. Soon we had 7 from just one shrub. It is amazing how hard you have to work to find samples. The terrain was challenging and Jared had a short slip and we soon realized how dangerous collecting caterpillars could be. He almost slid into a prickly pear that would have done much more damage than just "prick your skin". Even though I felt that I was taking care in my steps, I realized that I needed to really watch where I stepped and made sure my foothold was good.
Lee didn't want to burn us out on our first day, so we headed for the van and the cool air it would provide for us weary "bush beaters". The drive back was uneventful except for the car accident we came upon where the vehicle had actually flipped over. It appeared the driver was miraculously unhurt as he stood by talking on his cell phone.
Lee wanted to order pizzas and hang out at the hotel for another talk. I suggested we take a quick accounting of what type of pizza and soon realized I had delegated myself into calling the order to a pizza place that would deliver to the hotel. Papa John's had a deal with 4 large pizzas, 4 orders of bread sticks, 40 wings, and 3-2 liter sodas. Well, I didn't want to eat pizza on this trip, but they say when in Rome, do as the Romans do. So I ate 2 slices. But at least I didn't eat any sweets all day.
At 7:30, Lee gave another talk for about 1 hour about immature insects. And given it is very late, I will save you from the tedious notes I took during his lecture. It was interesting, but listening to the terminology he uses and vocabulary words made me feel like I was in a graduate class. Actually, this is a lecture he gives in his classes.
Our plans tomorrow are to begin our 3 hour drive southeast to the Research Station. Lee has 2 collection sites in mind that he would like us to stop at and "beat the bushes". We should all be seasoned bush beaters by the time we return home.
Well, until tomorrow night which will be at SWRS and/or Cave Creek. Good night!
Now you know there will be a test at the end of my notes, so pay attention. Now I know you all are laughing. You can tell that this expedition isn't a vacation by any means. Our talk this morning was on a graduate level and towards the end, we all were on information overload. Ultimately, Lee's research is based around the premise of how does the number of interactions change between species as you move through latitudinal gradients. HIs focus is on adult stages of caterpillars. Juvenile caterpillars that are collected are reared to adult in the labs at the various sites of his research (Equador, Costa Rica, Louisiana, Arizona, CA/Nevada). He does not have people at the Arizona site, so he often asks the workers there to rear his caterpillars.
We have learned that his home, along with his lab at Tulane University were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. His son, Camden, lives with his mother and her home was not destroyed. Since he had collected data since 1994, he had a great amount prior to the habitats being destroyed. An Earthwatch team went in to New Orleans and studied the beta diversity. This means that 100% of the species had changed; which occurred with this natural disaster.
After Lee's talk, he drove all 10 of us (8 from the US and 2 from Japan) to the Sonoran Desert Museum. He promised that this would be the best introduction to the desert and he was right on! This place was phenomenal in that the cacti and other plants were identified with signs. There was a beautiful aviary, hummingbird aviary, cacti garden (even though cacti were everywhere!), a mountain lion exhibit, and an underground beaver's den where we saw them sleeping. There was a pollination garden, desert grassland and mountain woodland area. We became very heated and rested in a wonderful restaurant around 12:30. The lunch break gave us a chance to sit and cool down. It was well needed.
We shopped in a small gift shop and bought weather resistant foldout flyers on various subjects: Arizona Trees and Shrubs, Night Sky, Butterflies and Moths, and Desert Plants. After this small shopping excursion, we entered an underground tunnel area where we could observe the "life underground". This was the place where we realized how hot is really was outside. There was a sign that stated the temperature inside the tunnel and the outside temp of 114F! I have never been in such extreme temps in my life! We were all in agreement that it really felt like that outside!
Lee had left us for this portion of the day to pick up Dave Wagner and his son. Dr. Wagner is the author of the book "Eastern Caterpillars" and is beginning his book on western caterpillars, hence his reason for attending our expedition. Lee also was scouting out some collection sites for us to "practice" collecting samples. So Lee picked us up about 2:30 and drove us to a park area called Grant's Pass. He showed us the high-tech methods of collecting caterpillars. You take a stick and beat the bush while holding a collection screen underneath. Then you carefully observe everything that falls onto the screen. Lee said we have to count the number of leaves on each bush by using a very quick guestimate. Yes, we have to count the leaves in a very unscientific way. So we practiced counting and it is amazing how many different ways to count leaves. We also can just observe the stems of the shrubs for caterpillars, but this method did not prove successful. We separated into 2 groups of 5. The other group collected successfully from the acacia tree and shouted with joy upon each finding. Well, we were unsuccessful by beating the living daylights out of the ocotillo shrub. When we were disheartened, Lee said we could try collecting from the palo verde shrub. Junka discovered a very tiny movement on our screen and low and behold we finally had one tiny caterpillar. Soon we had 7 from just one shrub. It is amazing how hard you have to work to find samples. The terrain was challenging and Jared had a short slip and we soon realized how dangerous collecting caterpillars could be. He almost slid into a prickly pear that would have done much more damage than just "prick your skin". Even though I felt that I was taking care in my steps, I realized that I needed to really watch where I stepped and made sure my foothold was good.
Lee didn't want to burn us out on our first day, so we headed for the van and the cool air it would provide for us weary "bush beaters". The drive back was uneventful except for the car accident we came upon where the vehicle had actually flipped over. It appeared the driver was miraculously unhurt as he stood by talking on his cell phone.
Lee wanted to order pizzas and hang out at the hotel for another talk. I suggested we take a quick accounting of what type of pizza and soon realized I had delegated myself into calling the order to a pizza place that would deliver to the hotel. Papa John's had a deal with 4 large pizzas, 4 orders of bread sticks, 40 wings, and 3-2 liter sodas. Well, I didn't want to eat pizza on this trip, but they say when in Rome, do as the Romans do. So I ate 2 slices. But at least I didn't eat any sweets all day.
At 7:30, Lee gave another talk for about 1 hour about immature insects. And given it is very late, I will save you from the tedious notes I took during his lecture. It was interesting, but listening to the terminology he uses and vocabulary words made me feel like I was in a graduate class. Actually, this is a lecture he gives in his classes.
Our plans tomorrow are to begin our 3 hour drive southeast to the Research Station. Lee has 2 collection sites in mind that he would like us to stop at and "beat the bushes". We should all be seasoned bush beaters by the time we return home.
Well, until tomorrow night which will be at SWRS and/or Cave Creek. Good night!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Day 1 August 5, 2009
Well Friends.........I wrote a very long post and our wireless signal has been playing games with us. I thought my post was "saved" and when I tried to publish my post, everything I have typed for the last 30 minutes is LOST!!!!!!!!!!!
It's 1:16 am here and I NEED SLEEP........so sorry. You will have to wait patiently until tomorrow night when I can catch you up on today's events and tomorrows activities. Just a quick note, my roommate, Jenny, is fabulous! She teaches 7th grade science and is very interested in my "worms". She would like to build a worm bin for her class. We have alot in common and get along great. Everyone on our expedition is very nice and easy to talk to .........but then again, we are all TEACHERS!
So Goodnight and stayed tuned to tomorrow's posting. :-)
It's 1:16 am here and I NEED SLEEP........so sorry. You will have to wait patiently until tomorrow night when I can catch you up on today's events and tomorrows activities. Just a quick note, my roommate, Jenny, is fabulous! She teaches 7th grade science and is very interested in my "worms". She would like to build a worm bin for her class. We have alot in common and get along great. Everyone on our expedition is very nice and easy to talk to .........but then again, we are all TEACHERS!
So Goodnight and stayed tuned to tomorrow's posting. :-)
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
11 1/2 hours to TAKEOFF!
Well, this is it......the date has almost arrived. I'm packed and actually "stuffed" into 2 suitcases. I'll check one and carry on the other bag. I will take my Toshiba laptop and can already predict that I'll be posting each time I am near WIFI.
Today I shared lunch with my 4th grade teammates (and I hate to say former teammates!) Lisa and Denise. We ate Chinese and you can only imagine what was inside my fortune cookie (actually I ate 2 so I have 2 fortunes!)
#1......Be prepared to accept a wondrous opportunity in the days ahead.
#2...... Learning is a treasure which accompanies us everywhere.
I don't think there could be more appropriate words that can describe my Earthwatch Expedition.
I plan on making the most of this, learning all I can, always thinking of how I can relate my research to my upcoming class, and having fun along the way.
My next post may be from TIA or Dallas......I hope you will enjoy reading my daily journals from Arizona. I want you to feel like you are traveling along with me. Now it's time to close and prepare for tomorrow. Goodnight!
Today I shared lunch with my 4th grade teammates (and I hate to say former teammates!) Lisa and Denise. We ate Chinese and you can only imagine what was inside my fortune cookie (actually I ate 2 so I have 2 fortunes!)
#1......Be prepared to accept a wondrous opportunity in the days ahead.
#2...... Learning is a treasure which accompanies us everywhere.
I don't think there could be more appropriate words that can describe my Earthwatch Expedition.
I plan on making the most of this, learning all I can, always thinking of how I can relate my research to my upcoming class, and having fun along the way.
My next post may be from TIA or Dallas......I hope you will enjoy reading my daily journals from Arizona. I want you to feel like you are traveling along with me. Now it's time to close and prepare for tomorrow. Goodnight!
Monday, August 3, 2009
36 hours before I take OFF!
Hello Faithful Followers!
Our local cable news channel Bay News 9 aired my interview today about my Earthwatch Expedition. Here is the link in case you don't live in our viewing area or missed it:
http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2009/8/3/504266.html
You can view the actual interview online. It is fantastic public relations for Westgate Elementary and for Earthwatch!
After you view the piece, in case you are wondering about the shot of the shoreline....I was explaining to the photojournalist that I am going to become a phytoplankton monitor for NOAA in late August. I will be the first for Pinellas County, Florida. This is a volunteer opportunity to share more "real world science" with my students. It requires a 2 year commitment and at least bi-monthly sample collections. I can collect it weekly if I choose. I will learn to identify friendly and harmful phytoplankton and send the samples overnight by FedEx (sorry John, no PO!).
Well, about 36 hours until takeoff. I am still in the process of sorting clothes, essentials, and lots of sunscreen! I wish American Airlines offerred "internet services" on their flight because I would journal during the flight. I read recently that about 500 flights currently offer this service and it will become the norm in the future....now whether or not it will be a free service is another discussion.
Adam Seidman, Engagement Coordinator with Earthwatch, told me in a recent email he just returned from this same expedition but his location was in California. Scientists replicate this research on caterpillars in different regions around the world. This is a wonderful example for our students to learn that "real scientists" conducting experiments have to write precise, explicit instructions so other scientists can duplicate the experiment. Adam said I will learn so much from Dr. Dyer and his associates. One never knows what opportunities will come from this experience!
I guess I need to go back to packing.......I am bringing the "RED" ducttape that my dear colleague Patty gave to me. My son, JR, said he never leaves home without it! Thanks, Patty! I bet you never thought your RED ducttape would become famous on my blog (My favorite color is RED!).
I hope to squeeze in another post before takeoff! Here's one important note for you to follow as I journal: my front tooth has split....I've had hairline cracks for years and it decided to give way today! I had a dental appt in the morning to have a permanent crown placed....I just hope they can salvage my front tooth without grinding it down and giving me a temp. I don't want my nickname in AZ to become "snaggletooth"......Oh the things I get myself into! :-)
Stay tuned!!!! There's always more adventure with me!....................................
Our local cable news channel Bay News 9 aired my interview today about my Earthwatch Expedition. Here is the link in case you don't live in our viewing area or missed it:
http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2009/8/3/504266.html
You can view the actual interview online. It is fantastic public relations for Westgate Elementary and for Earthwatch!
After you view the piece, in case you are wondering about the shot of the shoreline....I was explaining to the photojournalist that I am going to become a phytoplankton monitor for NOAA in late August. I will be the first for Pinellas County, Florida. This is a volunteer opportunity to share more "real world science" with my students. It requires a 2 year commitment and at least bi-monthly sample collections. I can collect it weekly if I choose. I will learn to identify friendly and harmful phytoplankton and send the samples overnight by FedEx (sorry John, no PO!).
Well, about 36 hours until takeoff. I am still in the process of sorting clothes, essentials, and lots of sunscreen! I wish American Airlines offerred "internet services" on their flight because I would journal during the flight. I read recently that about 500 flights currently offer this service and it will become the norm in the future....now whether or not it will be a free service is another discussion.
Adam Seidman, Engagement Coordinator with Earthwatch, told me in a recent email he just returned from this same expedition but his location was in California. Scientists replicate this research on caterpillars in different regions around the world. This is a wonderful example for our students to learn that "real scientists" conducting experiments have to write precise, explicit instructions so other scientists can duplicate the experiment. Adam said I will learn so much from Dr. Dyer and his associates. One never knows what opportunities will come from this experience!
I guess I need to go back to packing.......I am bringing the "RED" ducttape that my dear colleague Patty gave to me. My son, JR, said he never leaves home without it! Thanks, Patty! I bet you never thought your RED ducttape would become famous on my blog (My favorite color is RED!).
I hope to squeeze in another post before takeoff! Here's one important note for you to follow as I journal: my front tooth has split....I've had hairline cracks for years and it decided to give way today! I had a dental appt in the morning to have a permanent crown placed....I just hope they can salvage my front tooth without grinding it down and giving me a temp. I don't want my nickname in AZ to become "snaggletooth"......Oh the things I get myself into! :-)
Stay tuned!!!! There's always more adventure with me!....................................
Thursday, July 30, 2009
5 days before I FLY!
Only 5 days before I fly to Arizona - I can't believe I started counting over 100 days ago.
I thought I would have posted more information before I left, but I have been extremely busy. The St. Petersburg Audubon Society's Ecology Camp at Weedon Island during the week of July 6th was fantastic, but the heat took more out of me during the evening, so I didn't feel up to posting on my blog. The last couple of weeks have found me at the GYM!!! I realized I needed a jump-start to get in shape for Arizona. About 70% of our time will be in the "field".....which means walking in the desert, forests, and mountain ranges collecting caterpillars for the lab. I am feeling much better about my overall strength to maintain stamina and not fatigue during our field site adventures.
I have been reading my expedition briefing about caterpillars and the research we will conduct. There are five goals associated with this research:
#1 document diversity of caterpillars and parasitoids in 3 species-rich ecosystems
#2 understand how different caterpillar defenses function against different types of natural enemies
#3 examine chemical defenses in caterpillars and their host plants
#4 construct models that predict success of biological control based on caterpillar defenses
#5 examine the effects of climate on caterpillar-parasitoid interactions
So I'd like to go into "teaching mode" and tell you about these small creatures that play an important role in our ecosystem.
I feel compelled to define an important word for you. Dr. Dyer uses the term "parasitoid" in his written research. This term is defined as (www.dictionary.com) an insect and especially a wasp that completes its larval development within the body of another insect which it eventually kills and that is free-living as an adult.
Caterpillars are the second most diverse order of all animals on Earth. They eat more leaves in a forest than all other herbivores combined. They play an important part in the food chain for other animals. Scientists have identified approximately 160,000 species of butterflies and moths, but only about 15,000 caterpillars have been described. Although we don't know how many caterpillars actually exist, it is estimated that up to 3.5 million are chomping and munching their way through forests just waiting to be discovered by a fourth grade teacher like me!
Seventy-thousand parasitoids have been described and it is estimated that about 1.8 million exist in our diverse world.
This project will compare its data with similar data collected from other researchers around the world. Previous discoveries have shown a strong correlation between the predictability of the amount of precipitation and parasitism rates. Hypotheses have arisen from this information.
One: Will parasitism rates decrease with predicted increases in climate due to anthropogenic climate change?
Two: Will this cause extinctions of rare species of butterfly and moths?
Again, I must define anthropogenic for some of you, but NOT for my fourth grade students from last year (this was my favorite BIG word in class!). It means caused or produced by humans.
There is much more to learn about my new small friend, the caterpillar. I hope to use this blog not only as a journal about my expedition, but as a teaching tool for both my young and mature students. ha ha!
I have so much to do before Wednesday.....maybe I'll post once more before I fly!
I thought I would have posted more information before I left, but I have been extremely busy. The St. Petersburg Audubon Society's Ecology Camp at Weedon Island during the week of July 6th was fantastic, but the heat took more out of me during the evening, so I didn't feel up to posting on my blog. The last couple of weeks have found me at the GYM!!! I realized I needed a jump-start to get in shape for Arizona. About 70% of our time will be in the "field".....which means walking in the desert, forests, and mountain ranges collecting caterpillars for the lab. I am feeling much better about my overall strength to maintain stamina and not fatigue during our field site adventures.
I have been reading my expedition briefing about caterpillars and the research we will conduct. There are five goals associated with this research:
#1 document diversity of caterpillars and parasitoids in 3 species-rich ecosystems
#2 understand how different caterpillar defenses function against different types of natural enemies
#3 examine chemical defenses in caterpillars and their host plants
#4 construct models that predict success of biological control based on caterpillar defenses
#5 examine the effects of climate on caterpillar-parasitoid interactions
So I'd like to go into "teaching mode" and tell you about these small creatures that play an important role in our ecosystem.
I feel compelled to define an important word for you. Dr. Dyer uses the term "parasitoid" in his written research. This term is defined as (www.dictionary.com) an insect and especially a wasp that completes its larval development within the body of another insect which it eventually kills and that is free-living as an adult.
Caterpillars are the second most diverse order of all animals on Earth. They eat more leaves in a forest than all other herbivores combined. They play an important part in the food chain for other animals. Scientists have identified approximately 160,000 species of butterflies and moths, but only about 15,000 caterpillars have been described. Although we don't know how many caterpillars actually exist, it is estimated that up to 3.5 million are chomping and munching their way through forests just waiting to be discovered by a fourth grade teacher like me!
Seventy-thousand parasitoids have been described and it is estimated that about 1.8 million exist in our diverse world.
This project will compare its data with similar data collected from other researchers around the world. Previous discoveries have shown a strong correlation between the predictability of the amount of precipitation and parasitism rates. Hypotheses have arisen from this information.
One: Will parasitism rates decrease with predicted increases in climate due to anthropogenic climate change?
Two: Will this cause extinctions of rare species of butterfly and moths?
Again, I must define anthropogenic for some of you, but NOT for my fourth grade students from last year (this was my favorite BIG word in class!). It means caused or produced by humans.
There is much more to learn about my new small friend, the caterpillar. I hope to use this blog not only as a journal about my expedition, but as a teaching tool for both my young and mature students. ha ha!
I have so much to do before Wednesday.....maybe I'll post once more before I fly!
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