Journals 2006/2007

Mark Harris
Layton High School, Layton, UT

"Stenella Abundance Research Project (STAR)" July 23, 2006 - August 14, 2006

Journal Index: July 23 - 24 - 25 - 26 - 27 - 28 - 29        30 - 31 August 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9            10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 Additional Resources

August 1, 2006
Turtle Time

Processing our fist turtle

The small boat was put in at 9:00 and went looking for sea turtles, around 10 o'clock it came back with a small loggerhead turtle. Lindsey Peavey, the turtle biologist was extremely happy; she was beaming from ear to ear. Lindsey broke out her measuring tools, took blood samples, skin samples, and pictures and then we returned the turtle back into the ocean. Again Bob Pitman, with his ever patient approach, showed Lindsey and me how to do each step of the data collection. I guess I sound like a Bob Pitman fan club president, I really did learn a lot from him. The cutest moment was when Lindsey was finished; she kissed the turtle on the head and then released it back into the ocean. We processed 2 more turtles that day while on the ship.

Back at the flying bridge a Sei whale was spotted and we followed the whale for about 1 hour, they are just plain big. When a whale was sighted everyone is called to the flying bridge to watch for the blow when the whale surfaces. I actually became pretty good using the binoculars. I have my favorite pair that seem to fit my eyes.

After putting the CTD in I grabbed a pole and fished for squid, I caught a couple of 1 footers, no giant Humboldt squid tonight. Iliana takes all the samples large and small, so she was happy to have what I caught. I love doing things for such nice people; I could work around the clock for these humans. It is 10:00 pm and I am off to bed.