Gathered the first days worth of data for my project today. I have to agree with the others, those barracuda are not afraid to get up in your space. While collecting data at the dock, I look down and what do I see? The room 8 key that has been missing for about a week at this point. After a quick dive, the key was safely clipped to my gear, only a little rusted from its time in the ocean. All in all, it has been a productive day for me so far.
I very much DO NOT like barracudas. Their aura is to much for me to handle they are so scary and they just be lurking. I’ve had a couple run ins with them over the course of the trip but today I was doing my thesis work with my little barracuda model, and this BIG MAMA barracuda was like fighting and circling the model and I was not a fan. It like wouldn’t let me grab it and started death staring at me so I literally jumped on a paddle board because I was scared. Anyways big takeaway from this trip: I DO NOT like barracudas. They are too powerful for my feeble mind to process.
The weather has not been kind to us lately, it has been raining on and off just about every day we've been here. Regardless of weather though, we still have projects to complete. Spent some time in the water again today taking necessary pictures and scouting out good sites for my project. Lots of work still to be done!
Staying booked and busy for the next few days of the trip for sure! Between everything needed just for the classes main project and doing all 24 sites for my thesis research I’m EXHAUSTED. But hoping it’ll all be worth it in the end and that the last week will be more relaxed. I’m hoping the sun comes out the next few days though, for some reason it’s been super overcast and rainy here and getting in and out of the water has not been fun. 🥶 But I we still trek on!
I’ve really been enjoying my time on the island. Being here has been such a different experience, and I’ve loved getting to slow down and appreciate the little things. It’s been refreshing to step away from the constant hustle and bustle of everyday life and spend time somewhere that feels so peaceful.
That being said, I have to admit that the homesickness is starting to kick in. I miss my own bed more than I ever thought I would, and I definitely miss my cat and the luxury of air conditioning. Those little comforts at home are easy to take for granted until they’re gone.
Even with those moments of missing home, I’m grateful for this experience. There’s something calming about knowing that out here, we can only do what we can. Things move at their own pace, and there’s no point in stressing over what you can’t control. (Especially since my computer won’t turn on and I can’t do anything about it) It’s been a nice reminder to slow down, relax, and enjoy where I am right now before it’s time to head home.
Psa: I don’t know why it isn’t letting me add pictures, but since I’m doing everything on my phone and nothing ever wants to work accordingly here I’m not suprised🥲
After just one week in Cayos Cochinos, I already feel like I've experienced more than I could have imagined. Every day has been filled with something new, whether it's exploring coral reefs, hiking through the jungle, learning from local community members, or applying what we've learned in class directly in the field.
As incredible as this first week has been, it also makes me even more excited for everything that's still to come.
One of the things I'm looking forward to the most is spending more time underwater. Every time we snorkel, I notice something I hadn't seen before. The reefs here are incredibly diverse, and I know there are still countless organisms waiting to be discovered.
I'm especially hoping to see even more marine life and continue improving my ability to identify different species in their natural habitats. The more time I spend underwater, the more I realize how much there is still to learn.
One of the biggest reasons I wanted to participate in this program was the opportunity to be involved in real research. Throughout the week, I've been helping Professor Gilchrist with her research, and I'm excited to begin seeing the results come together. I'm looking forward to seeing what patterns begin to emerge as we continue collecting data.
I'm also excited to start developing my own research project. One of my goals while I'm here is to identify a question that genuinely interests me, design a study around it, and begin collecting my own data. It's a little intimidating, but it's also one of the opportunities I've been looking forward to the most.
So far we've covered corals, sponges, and annelids, but Professor Gilchrist mentioned that we'll soon have a lesson focused on animal behavior. If you know me, you know that's something I'm especially excited about.
I've always been fascinated by why animals behave the way they do, and after completing my fiddler crab behavior project earlier this year, I'm looking forward to learning even more about behavioral ecology while observing marine organisms in their natural environment. I'm excited to see how the concepts we discuss in class translate into what we observe on the reef.
Although marine biology is the main reason I'm here, I also want to experience as much of Honduras as I can. During our visit to East Village, I realized how much I enjoy learning about the people and culture alongside the ecosystems.
I'm looking forward to exploring more of the islands, meeting more local people, and learning about daily life in a place that's so different from what I'm used to back home. Every conversation and every new place has given me another perspective, and I hope to continue learning from the communities that call these islands home.
And on a slightly less scientific note, I'm determined to finally try sopa de caracol before I leave. I've heard so much about it that it feels like an essential part of the experience!
When I applied for this program, I hoped it would help me become a better marine biologist. After only one week, I already feel like it's helping me grow in ways I didn't expect.
Living on a small island, adapting to a completely different environment, learning from experienced researchers, and spending so much time observing marine ecosystems has given me a new appreciation for both science and conservation. Every day challenges me to become more observant, ask better questions, and think more critically about the natural world around me.
I have a feeling that by the time this program is over, I'll leave with far more than just new knowledge. I'll leave with new experiences, new perspectives, and a better understanding of the kind of scientist I hope to become.
There are still so many experiences ahead, and I honestly have no idea what each day will bring. That's part of what makes this adventure so exciting.
Whether it's discovering a species I've never seen before, seeing the results of our research begin to take shape, designing my own project, learning more about animal behavior, exploring more of Honduras, trying new foods, or simply watching another incredible sunset over the Caribbean, I'm looking forward to making the most of every opportunity.
Thank you for following along with my journey. I can't wait to share everything that the next week has in store.
I can hardly believe a week has already passed here. Its been wonderful so far, and I'm glad I decided to take this course. We didn't have any lectures this weekend so we've mainly been left to our own devices. Which of course means planning. I have a good idea about what I'm going to do my project on, but I still need to iron out the details. Times moving fast though, and we won't be able to wait around much longer to get started.
