Mayhem in the marsh...
. I apologize for the second of two extremely corny entry titles. For some reason it just comes out that way and then I’m too lazy to think of something else more unique and creative (If you have suggestions for my future lake, bog, swamp, river, or fen trips, let me know ;))
We had a little lecture by Bob (yay, Bob) followed by a little lecture by Duke (Guest lecturer from the Dept. of Environmental quality {yay, Duke}). Duke works with MDOT to help determine how to avoid/limit the erosion or potential destruction to surrounding wetland environments during road construction. Have you met Duke, Leese? =P After the lecture ness, we visited a mitigation site and then revisited the picturesque Cheboygan marsh. We crossed a boardwalk over a sea of cattails and ate lunch on the top deck of the tower overlooking the bay. It was definitely a Kodak moment. I took mind pictures due to my camera deficiency. The water was a gorgeous striated light green, blue green and deep blue, the sky scattered with the perfect number of fluffy white clouds against a vivid blue backdrop. I could see the horizon with remarkable clarity. A boat in the distance appeared as a subject in a flawlessly composed still life. If only I had a piece of canvas, an easel, some paint, and 3 hours to stare at the time. It never works that way does it? =P
We waded out into the warm, shallow marshy water and collected epiphytic algal samples from a number of emergent plants. Our purpose was to determine the relationships between epiphytic algae and the respective plants according to the depth at which the plants are from the water surface. It should be interesting to get the results of the chlorophyll tests.
We walked back through the reeds and Megan and I busted out various songs including “Part of this World” from your favorite and mine, Disney’s The Little Mermaid. It seemed appropriate enough. After an hour of staying dry from the knees up, we somehow managed to be completely soaking (again) by the time we left. Maybe I decided I wanted to embrace the water, I don’t know. I like swimming a lot. Yay, swimming! Hmm, maybe I should write a pyw rendition entitled, “Part of that world”. It will be my new wetlands theme song.
We discussed project proposals over dinner. Ack, I don’t want to get into it right now. It’s getting complicated and scary and intimidating and a seemingly daunting assignment. I’ll feel better once we actually have some data. Useful data. Tomorrow we may attempt to steal a water transportation vehicle and get close to but hopefully-not-fatally-dangerously-close to the source of the sewage runoff into the Cheboygan river. Abnormal growths will be observed and documented within the results discussion of the paper (I am very seriously kidding, as much as I care about this project I am not going to sacrifice all of me to it. Does that mean I’m not a hardcore scientist? Oh well. =P).
I heard a wonderful tune today that brought back many happy memories…none other than the melodic “Ashokan Farewell.” Kevin was playing it on his mandolin, and so I just had to get out my violin and play as well. I LOVE THAT SONG…leese… you know what I mean. I need to find the duet version we used to play together - I am thoroughly searching upon the internet until I find it again. =) I am trying to get an “orchestra” of sorts put together here =D. So far I have two mandolins, violist, guitar, wood flute, percussion and piano dulcimer. Music is good for the soul. As is going to church. Speaking of church, I found a new one today, Sacred Heart. I definitely will check it out sometime.
FYI: There’s a full moon tonight… don’t get too crazy now
Whew, this is a bit for now, I’ll check in with you guys again later =). Sleep tight friends ;)
We had a little lecture by Bob (yay, Bob) followed by a little lecture by Duke (Guest lecturer from the Dept. of Environmental quality {yay, Duke}). Duke works with MDOT to help determine how to avoid/limit the erosion or potential destruction to surrounding wetland environments during road construction. Have you met Duke, Leese? =P After the lecture ness, we visited a mitigation site and then revisited the picturesque Cheboygan marsh. We crossed a boardwalk over a sea of cattails and ate lunch on the top deck of the tower overlooking the bay. It was definitely a Kodak moment. I took mind pictures due to my camera deficiency. The water was a gorgeous striated light green, blue green and deep blue, the sky scattered with the perfect number of fluffy white clouds against a vivid blue backdrop. I could see the horizon with remarkable clarity. A boat in the distance appeared as a subject in a flawlessly composed still life. If only I had a piece of canvas, an easel, some paint, and 3 hours to stare at the time. It never works that way does it? =P
We waded out into the warm, shallow marshy water and collected epiphytic algal samples from a number of emergent plants. Our purpose was to determine the relationships between epiphytic algae and the respective plants according to the depth at which the plants are from the water surface. It should be interesting to get the results of the chlorophyll tests.
We walked back through the reeds and Megan and I busted out various songs including “Part of this World” from your favorite and mine, Disney’s The Little Mermaid. It seemed appropriate enough. After an hour of staying dry from the knees up, we somehow managed to be completely soaking (again) by the time we left. Maybe I decided I wanted to embrace the water, I don’t know. I like swimming a lot. Yay, swimming! Hmm, maybe I should write a pyw rendition entitled, “Part of that world”. It will be my new wetlands theme song.
We discussed project proposals over dinner. Ack, I don’t want to get into it right now. It’s getting complicated and scary and intimidating and a seemingly daunting assignment. I’ll feel better once we actually have some data. Useful data. Tomorrow we may attempt to steal a water transportation vehicle and get close to but hopefully-not-fatally-dangerously-close to the source of the sewage runoff into the Cheboygan river. Abnormal growths will be observed and documented within the results discussion of the paper (I am very seriously kidding, as much as I care about this project I am not going to sacrifice all of me to it. Does that mean I’m not a hardcore scientist? Oh well. =P).
I heard a wonderful tune today that brought back many happy memories…none other than the melodic “Ashokan Farewell.” Kevin was playing it on his mandolin, and so I just had to get out my violin and play as well. I LOVE THAT SONG…leese… you know what I mean. I need to find the duet version we used to play together - I am thoroughly searching upon the internet until I find it again. =) I am trying to get an “orchestra” of sorts put together here =D. So far I have two mandolins, violist, guitar, wood flute, percussion and piano dulcimer. Music is good for the soul. As is going to church. Speaking of church, I found a new one today, Sacred Heart. I definitely will check it out sometime.
FYI: There’s a full moon tonight… don’t get too crazy now
Whew, this is a bit for now, I’ll check in with you guys again later =). Sleep tight friends ;)