The sailing started getting rough...

Talk about getting your butt kicked. It has been very windy the last couple of days and we really needed to get back in the water and record some data. The waves and the wind don't care about our data. We made it out this morning and were pushed around pretty good. Of course, we did not give up (your talking about science teachers!) and we did a pretty good analysis of the reefs on Franch Bay. And of course we identified some very beautiful fish. I am continually amazed at the colors of these fish. They are the most vibrant and luminescent body patterns possible. I saw an especially bright Blue Parrotfish this morning.
Now the bad news. We snorkled on a reef that looked like a graveyard for giant Elkhorn Coral. Apparently, the Elkhorn Coral experienced a serious dieback in the early 1990's. Because parts of coral are made of calcium, after the organisms die, the skeleton remains. The skeletons we saw this morning were about 20 ft. across and looked like pieces of art. They were amazing. These beautiful organisms, when alive, provide shelter and habitat for many kinds of animals. Now, for the next few years, their skeletons will provide a similar service, but eventually, they will break apart and return to the bottom, and we all will have lost.
For the journal- Why do you think these fish are so brightly colored?
- I hope you are recording the average temps of both EA and San Salvador so we something to study when I get back.

I will SEE you tomorrow around 1:00pm. Bring your journal and your questions!!