We collected data and watched Manon do the underwater session and Kathleen collect surface observations. It was obvious that Kami and Gizmo love Manon! They followed her and were around her and wanted to help her collect data this morning! You can see Kami and Poli assessing Manon’s technique with the MVA in the feature photo. The dolphins were social in small groups more than dyads or trios.
After the data collection session, we had breakfast and then boarded the bigger snorkel boat (the Miss Cheryl) for a ride to West Bay to snorkel on the reef. The underwater visibility during data collection and our snorkel was spectacularly good! It was stunning to see so clearly during the snorkel. We saw a sea horse at one of the mooring balls within 5 min of getting in. And just before we got out, several of us spied a Nassau Grouper. We took lots of photos and had fun on this drift snorkel. On this snorkel, we applied what we learned from last night’s night-snorkel talk and looked for small invertebrates – see the flamingo tongue and the fire worm, each below.
We got back in time to complete a space use data collection session with the second swim of the morning, and to enter some data from the week’s other space use sessions. Lunch was late but worth it! And our afternoon brought us to the classroom to learn about Abby’s experiences getting into graduate school as well as about her Object Play/Creativity research. Then we learned a bit more about DCP’s research projects in other locations as well as at RIMS.
We had a couple hours of free time – for snorkeling, soccer, swimming, etc. – then had dinner and finished the day/night with an ID contest – Taylor nearly met her goal and identified 13 dolphins! Well done! We have one more data collection session tomorrow and then we head home. It’s been a great week!
Bella – Today was a lovely last full day and I feel extremely grateful for the experience.
Annabelle – Seeing the West Bay reef made it all worth it! I appreciated the send-off from the island cats!
Maddie – Even though my favorite moment of the day was spotting a Nassau grouper, the best has been getting to know everybody on this trip.
Nate – Watching the snorkel guides go 20 feet below me was very humbling and this has been a wonderful experience.
Megan – Today’s snorkel was the best I’ve ever had! And this group is the best I’ve been with.
Kelly – This week has been an absolute blast and I’m sad we have to leave tomorrow. But I’ve loved getting to know everyone.
Abby – I appreciate the student being guinea pigs and listening to my research today and for making me feel included even though I’m not a student at StMU.
Taylor – The experiences and the knowledge I’ve gained are unforgettable. And I am really going to miss my new friends from Honduras (Steven and Kevin and Jaidden).
Brielle – Abby’s presentation was amazing and I’ve loved getting to spend the week with everyone.
TJ – It’s hard to put this amazing experience into words. So, I’ll just say I’m very grateful and happy to be here.
Jonas – I feel as if there are no words to describe this experience, but I learned so much about myself and these people (P.S. TJ and I share the same brain cell.)
Jose – It’s been a trip full of memories, lessons, and learning in particular, and I’m very glad I got to meet everyone in this room. Adios.
Jove – This trip has felt more like a vacation than a class because it’s with the best people ever! I’m so happy to have been included!
Dallas – Just when I thought being here couldn’t get any better, I was happily mistaken because this was the best trip to Roatan yet.
Mario – After seeing all the barracudas, eating a lotta ketchup, and studying the dolphins for the second time, this is truly the greatest group I’ve bene with.
Robert – I’m very grateful that I had the opportunity to go on this trip. I’ve shared many laughs and learned a lot – not just about marine life but also about myself and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Heather – Thank you, Kathleen and Manon, for leading our trip and many things to the students for making it so awesome and for showing Melissa and me why we continue to do this regularly.
Manon – I’m glad everybody enjoyed their week and are going home with good memories. Safe travel tomorrow.
Cheers
StMU R3