a new model for aging
Although no one knows exactly where Columbus made landfall in the New World, it still was thrilling to see the likely site on San Salvador Island in the Bahamas! One of the coral reefs that we were studying was just off the beach near the monument site. We were a group of eleven Earthwatch Institute volunteers doing research on BAHAMIAN REEF SURVEY, a long-term study of the health of the coral … [Read more...]
There was a lot of splashing and commotion ahead of our boat and as we got nearer we saw that a bald eagle had a salmon too big to fly with, so was dragging it to shore; we rounded a point and an Alaskan brown bear on the beach whirled and disappeared into the willows; a mother black bear with two cubs stood and watched us from a gravel bank by a small stream; we heard some pitiful cries and saw a … [Read more...]
My next real whale adventure was with the Earthwatch Institute expedition Gray Whale Migration at Laguna San Ignacio in Baja California Sur. The volunteers met Dr. William Megill and the staff at Loreto, Mexico and had a day to tour the surrounding desert and mountains, including an old mission and ancient petroglyphs. Then we headed north on steep and winding roads to San Ignacio and the Kuyima … [Read more...]
One of the four key areas of EARTHWATCH INSTITUTE scientific research is OCEANS, including studies of coastal ecology, coral reefs, sea turtles, sea otters, dolphins and whales. I've enjoyed working as a volunteer in all of these areas, but probably the most exciting ocean adventures are those involving whales! This is an account of several of those expeditions. While in the U. S. Navy many … [Read more...]