We woke up throughout the night to huge thunder claps and flashes of lightning. It is pouring, POURING rain. (We could use some of this is California!!)
After breakfast we made our way to the classroom for a lesson in setting up camera traps by Johanna. The protocol that TEAM uses is very detailed, and we learned how to use the Reconyx infrared cameras. The pictures that they've seen are incredible, and it's an excellent way for them to indentify species (especially those that are nocturnal) within the jungle.
One of our groups, (from Florida) set up 6 or 7 camera traps for their research project and caught a puma the first night!! Such an amazing capability we have access to! (Pictures to come, I've requested they make an appearance on my blog!)
After camera trapping, we were supposed to do canopy tours but the weather was too detrimental - so we've rescheduled for Saturday :) (can't wait!) Instead, we were able to work on our group project a little bit more. We mapped out our areas, made a plan to talk to Orlando about the vegetation in the area, and did quite a bit of presentation preparation before lunch.
After lunch (still pouring) we went to the classroom and did a lesson on animal behavior with Peggy. Amazing ideas for the classroom - having students conduct ethograms and write about it... Whether it's via a video (maybe of animals I see here) or live, it seems like an amazingly applicable lesson. Halfway through her talk, we were instructed to go find an animal to observe... So naturally in the pouring rain, SciCREW trekked out deep into the jungle and first thing spotted a CAIMAN in the river!! Also an amazing dragonfly and cute grasshopper. We came back, shared our findings, and talked about the PBS video series "Shape of Life" - also very applicable! (I've used these before, thanks to Peggy!)
Following Peggy's talk, we went on a guided day hike with our tour guide, Joel. (Keep in mind, it was still POURING rain) he new everything there was to know about La Selva's forests, and took us to an amazing location where we sat adorable White Tent Bats. They are so small, and they have an amazing adaptation where the females cut large heliconia leaves, creating a "cave"-like space underneath for the group to sleep. We got great pictures, but had to be really quiet!
After our hike, and completely drenched, we had dinner and then played some "Biodiversity Bingo" with Peggy. Another great idea for the classroom (again with pictures from this trip!) fun way to break up a block period (or adapt it to use in my Physiology class)
We ended the night per usual playing Salad Bowl with the crew back at Casa 1. Our goal is to get through the alphabet by the end of the 2 weeks - we shall see!
^Sitting right outside of our dorm!
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