Bahamian Reef Survey with Ms. Taylor

Soft Coral

Connie — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:34:00 +0000

Abrahanna, I remember you asked about soft coral... so I've tried to upload a picture of some for you... however most of our work is being done on the hard coral that is so important in protecting our shores from wave surges during heavy storms.

Out of Water Work

Connie — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:26:00 +0000

Greetings Boys and Girls,

Yesterday because the weather was very windy and the water was choppy we were not able to get much work done in the water, so... we did water testing and went to the east end of the beach which is where all the trash tends to wash up and cleaned up the beaches a litte.

Communication!!!

Connie — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:20:00 +0000

Boys and Girls I'm so excited to hear from you!!!! Thank you so much. Areone, I miss you more! Richardia the reefs are beautiful and there are lots of soft coral Abrianah, I'll attach a picture! Lawrence I've seen singrays!!! Ceavani and Mekhi the weather is nice and windy, it rained yesterday. FeDarrena and Nazeer I am doing well and having fun but it's a lot of hard work here. I wish you were here too Akil, I wish you were all here! I love you too Anthony and I miss you all. Thank you so much Ms. Hubbard for all you do, I can't thank you enough!!! MANY THANKS to any tech. people who may be helping my class make contact with me. Try to check in DAILY, I will!!! I'm going to try to call the class again on Friday. Lawrence & N'Kyia I'm counting on you!

Love,
Ms. Taylor

Question!

Connie — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:46:00 +0000

WHAT ARE "NO-SEE-UMS"???

Job Well Done!

Connie — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:03:00 +0000

In the group picture the team has just finished creating the mock reef that we are going to try to place in the ocean later this week.
The next photo is me try to contact YOU my loves... I hope everyone is making me proud!

What are you doing Ms. Taylor?!

Connie — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:56:00 +0000

In the following photos you see me inspecting coral for bleaching, and helping to create a concrete reef that we plan to use to help coral have a place to form!

Connie — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:25:00 +0000

Making Contact!

Connie — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:10:00 +0000

Boys and Girls I'm having the toughest time trying to make contact with you... but don't think I haven't been trying. EVERY DAY about 20 times a day I'm trying to contact you...

I've been counting the various types of coral using frames that look sort of like a coordinate grid that we randomly toss out over the reef and count the number of hard corals, soft corals, algae, rock, and other types of things that may end up in the ocean. I've also been using transect lines to check for bleaching of coral.

What is a transect???

The Photo!!!

Connie — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:38:00 +0000

It seems there were some posting problems yesterday. Here is the picture I was refering to in the last post!

While I'm here, because so many of the coral are dying, we will be building a cement model of a reef (messy work) to provide homes for the coral that need a place to live. What fun!!!

I'm headed back out to the ocean this morning to do more field research. I'm working really hard out here! Are you working really hard?

Miss You,
Ms. Taylor

I've Made It!!!

Connie — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:27:00 +0000

It wasn't easy getting here, there were several travel nightmares... but I've made it! What a beautiful place. On arrival, it was straight to work I had to learn to identify various types of coral so that I can help in the research, I had to get into the water to try out my snorkel gear for the first time, and I had to learn to surface dive (diving while in the water) deep enough to have a good look at all the coral we are trying to protect and care for. In the image you can see me and the team preparing to go diving to see how well we've learned the names of the various corals.

I really miss you boys and girls!!!! (You too Anthony & Bryce... even though you wouldn't hug me bye) Mr. D or Mr. Steen should be helping you all stay in touch with me, we are still working on talking to you via satellite phone and web cam, and as soon as everything is functioning I'll be in touch.

Questions to ponder:
What is coral?
What is a coral reef?
What do corals eat?
Why are corals important?

Feel free to ask me any questions you'd like and I'll do my best to answer them. You may post questions or answers to my questions on this blog.
I'll be in touch, once again I miss you, and can't wait to see you all again when I get back!

I love you ALL,
Ms. Taylor