Dive at Isla San Jorge (commonly known as Bird Island) was an interesting experience.  First of all the trip out was bereft with choppy seas (4-7 swells and chop water) which made for a very "hard ride" intestinally and stomach-wise for several of the students.  Once we arrived tho, it went fairly well.  Upon entering the water on the lea-ward side of the island we were greeted by sea lions a plenty, though not as many as last year... could be where we were located.  During the dive there was an abundance of sea-life.  Of particular interest was the large number of Murex, hydro-corals, large clusters mollusks and various colorful nudibranchs.  Among the nudibranchs we found several Sedna (Glossodoris sedna) and Speckled flatworm.  These are particularly beautiful creatures - in some ways not unlike a butterfly.

Second dive was bit different in that we were dropped off at the northern most point of the island - a small pinnacle cluster sticking out of the water maybe some 3-5 meters feet and drifted back towards the larger of the first two peaks.  This dive had more fish life - Wrasses, Snappers, Sargent Majors, a greater array of mollusks including a Giant Panamic Cockle, several huge Pen Shells, arrays of Gorgonians, Hydro corals, Panamic Brittle Stars,  and some very large Sea Urchins.

Another great experience abroad!

Once again, we had a fantastic experience in Mexico and at CEDO (Center for the study of Deserts and Oceans) and a large part of that was due to the great intern at CEDO, Abraham  (see below).   We are all home safe and sound now.  We will miss Mexico but will never forget it!

Last day!

We started off the lovely day today with kayaking in the Estuary !  Alex and I set up and off on our voyage we went. Luckily she had been kayaking previous times before and was extremely helpful as it was my first time. As we passed along the Estuary we saw oyster traps closer to the shore and many crabs along the bottom passing left and right. We stopped and had a small lecture on mudflats that were exposed by the low tide. We learned about about the fresh water meeting salt water and the lack of fresh water that is in the Estuary today. The Estuary is home to many animals, it also provides a breeding area, and food.

The day was ended with a camp fire full of s'mores at CEDO. Abraham one of the intern instructors told us stories of ghost the people in the past had seen at CEDO! It was a bitter sweet way to end the last night here. Soon after we were off to bed and early this morning we woke to Dr. B making french toast yum! I'm going to miss seeing and hearing the ocean near by and the fun adventures we had. Good bye Mexico, Puerto Penasco, CEDO, and Abraham America here we come! (:

Goodbye Rocky Point!

Even though I am excited to head back to America and sleep in my own bed instead of the floor, and see all of the friends I know so well; I am sad to leave this new little family that I’ve found. This past week has been so exciting and jam packed with activities. I learned so much from the people at CEDO about the importance of conserving our planets aquatic life and habitat.

Humans don’t realize how big of an impact small changes to the ocean can have on the future of our planet most likely because there is too much to grasp, and not enough people actually take the time to learn about it. With the rate our population is growing we really need to focus on sustainability before Wall-e becomes our destiny rather than a cute little cartoon.

Things the average person knows very little about are in harms way due to our naïve outlook on the world. Staying here has really opened my eyes to the arrogance and selfishness of the human race and what I would like to take with me from this experience, is to try and make people more aware. Everything has to happen one step at a time, and anyone can make a difference. I don’t want to be just another uninformed trash dispenser just trying to get ahead. I’d like to be the informer.

Peace. Love. & Sustainability!

The last hurawwww

Today was the last day for the exciting trip to Puerto Penasco.  We went to the estuary to kayak down it and see all the species that live there and realize why estuary's are so very important, not just  for
the animals that live there, but for humans as well. first thing we learned was what an estuary is, an estuary is a semi enclosed body of water where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with salt water from the ocean.

Thousands of species of birds, mammals, fish, and many others depend on estuaries for a places to feed, reproduce, and live. Humans also have use of the estuaries by the clams that are there. Locals will put oyster boxes all over the estuary and sell the oysters for a business. I never really thought about how important an estuary was until we went out today and kayaked through it. 

Trona salt mine tour

Kayaking!

Today I got up early to remake the group project presentation we lost yesterday, and I'm glad I did because I finally got to head down and drink my coffee on the beach while the tide was out. It started off a good morning :) The estuary was such a beautiful place! Paddling across the calm rippling water was so relaxing, and when we got out of the boats I couldn't believe how soft the sand was beneath my toes. There were tiny little fiddler crabs every where, all kinds of birds, we even got close to a great blue heron. But then things started to turn a bit, wasn't so relaxing when we had to make our way back against the current, that was a struggle. And then when we got back to the little restaurant at the estuary I started to get a bit of a stomach ache. Lost my breakfast...and then my lunch...no dinner for me. And now I can't even go make s'mores with all my new friends on the last night of our stay her at CEDO. I wish the rest of the day would have gone as smoothly as my morning :/