oh this is so cool!!

Check out this article:
White humpback calf spotted today!!

It's official!

Well, after over a year of taking classes, busting my butt for straight A's, doing research, working in a Veterinary hospital, and dong volunteer work - it has all paid off!
I have been accepted into my first choice Vet School - Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine!!
I am thrilled, relieved, and many other emotions.  But above all else I am super excited :)
YIPPEE

Update on the Cove: Save Japan Dolphins

I always find this interesting, so wanted to share:
Blog: Join Ric O’Barry in Taiji on Sept. 1st | SaveJapanDolphins.org

Hurricane Irene's Impact

Being a water lover and east coast resident, I was in the recent Hurricane Irene.
I was, fortunately, not impacted in any noticeable way.  I know there are millions of people still out of power as of today as well as looking for clean water or ice and I feel very lucky.
As the hurricane system built power I started wondering how it would impact that marine life in its path.  I know that I was not called in to our local stranding center yet, but I wonder what this next week will bring.
I started doing some research online and here is what I have learned so far:
Loggerhead turtles nests

I will continue to see what else I can learn and will post as I find out.

Winter the dolphin

I have meant to post about Winter a while ago.  Here's a bit about her story.  But I couldn't believe it when they have made a movie about her!  See below for movie info
This dolphin lost her tail after getting catch in a crab trap.  She's in a rehab facility and they have fitted her with various prosthetics over the past few years to enhance her life.  Looks like now she will be a celebrity! 


Link to the movie:
http://dolphintalemovie.warnerbros.com/index.html#/home

Super cool!!

Long time, no posts

It's been a while since I have updated the blog, but it has been an interesting summer so far.
In the past several weeks I have continued learning many awesome things at my job, gotten to do some amazing things while volunteering with the stranding team, and completed some summer school courses with success!  So still on track for my goals! 
I also was hoping to be completing an independent research study this summer, but for a few reason (which were completely out of my control) I wasn't able to do that.  That was a bummer, but I did everything that I could to make that happen.  It may still come together for the fall; we will see!
More to come soon...

sad, interesting article

Humpback whale washes up on New Jersey beach

check this out :(

Made it!

Well, spring semester is complete and successful, I am happy to say :)
I made it through and have achieved all As - but it was not easy.  This semester was certainly a test in a wide variety of ways.  I am truly happy to have completed it and to have attained my goals.  There were a few points along the way were I really struggled to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but now I am back on track!
And now I am straight back into the grind of things.  I am taking summer courses which are compressed and already seem pretty intense.  Also, I am starting my veterinary school application process.  I am super excited about getting started in addition to being nervous. 
Volunteering at the aquarium remains amazing.  I always get to do and see new things, and I love going in every week.  More recently I have observed a live grey seal in the wild, participated in a harbor seal necropsy, and spent quality time with my loggerhead friends.  I am very excited to report that many of the turtles will be able to be released soon - once the water gets warm enough!  I will update again when that happens. 
Another update to come soon!

almost there!

How does it feel to complete physics lab with approximatley a 99 in the class?  Damn good.
Now I just need to get through the rest.

WoW - Orcas in OBX!

I wish I was there for this too!  Whoa!
This video is really rough, but amazing...

Sei whale found stranded in Virginia Beach

Check it out - wish I could have been there to see this firsthand, but I am on Fridays not Sundays...


http://hamptonroads.com/2011/03/sei-whale-found-beached-sandbridge-morning

Chipping away and making a dent

A few updates and some good news...
The big news is that I have gotten a part time job at a local Veterinary Hospital!  I am thrilled with the opportunity :)  They need help in a variety of areas, so I will be a jack of all trades filling in where they need me.  I have started mostly at the front desk and have gotten to observe a few surgeries so far.  Hopefully I will be learning some techniques that will allow me to participate in more hands on interactions with the animals soon.  Already I am learning a lot!
Also, I have gotten to respond to some really interesting strandings in the few weeks.  I got to be involved in picking up a striped dolphin and a harp seal.  They were both beautiful!  Then shortly thereafter I got to participate in the dolphin necropsy.  It was AWESOME!  And we have many turtles in the center that are busy getting better and will hopefully be released in the next few months.  I really love all the work and new things I get to do with the stranding center!!
Finally, things are going well in school.  Man, studying and schoolwork keeps me so busy.  It is paying off, but it is hard work!  As of today, I have only 5 weeks left in this semester, so keep me in your thoughts getting through it!  Additionally, I completed my first pass at the GREs.  I was satisfied with my results, but I am going to take them again to see if I can do even better!
That's it for now!!

Dolphin, Manatee Deaths Baffle Scientists

These animals have been dying at near-record levels, raising the alarm and a whole host of questions.

So sad,   Here's the story 

I'll be thrilled to be out there doing research to help improve the situation!

Deaths of baby dolphins worry scientists By Vivian Kuo, CNN

So sad, here's the whole story:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/24/gulf.dolphins/index.html?hpt=C1

Orcas on the hunt ... for the perfect wave

Surfers at Sandy Bay were joined by a pod of orcas.

check out the newest blog I am following! :
The Cove Movie Blog

Designing the track

Here's a brief update to everyone for the current status of events.

* Pre- Req Semester 1 objective completed:
                Organic Chem 1, Biology 1 & Spanish with all A's
* Pre- Req Semester 2 started:
                Physics 1, Biochemistry & Biology 11, A's on the first exams
* Registered to take the GRE's for the first time in March
* Attended info seminars for VT & Ross University Vet schools
* Started looking into summer semester classes
* Continuing volunteering
* Looking for a position as a Vet Assistant

I think those are all the hot button issues at this moment! 

Ocean pollution: have you heard...

We learned about this in the OMI internship, and Chloe just told me about this article!
Very interesting stuff:
National Geograhpic: Noisy Ocean

Back to the mainland

Aloha!  Yep, I had to say hello and goodbye Maui.  Wow !  What an amazing experience.  I learned so much that I can carry forward with me.  I think one of the most important thins I learned was that I LOVE doing field research.  Whether it is rain or shine, windy, hot or chilly, I will take it - bring it on :)  I suspected this would be the case, but after 3 weeks of being outside every day for at least 4 hours each day, I got a confirmation.  Here are a couple of pictures of me in action:



Working with the theodolyte.  This piece
of equipment has 30x magnification, so
one we found a pod, we could track them
more closely through this. 



Here I am on a rainy day, sitting
on a rock, tracking a pod of
whales.  High powered horizontal
binoculars take some practice. 

Here's a summary of how my time was spent: approx 4 hours in the field tracking whales, approx 4 hours to reconcile the data collected in the field to prepare for turn in.  About 2-3 hours in class at night.  Also in the three weeks we were there, we read a text book and nearly 100 articles, in addition to exams and papers due so spent ALOT of time studying.  Which is great (honestly) beause I learned so much!  We had a few guest speakers in class including: Kalasara Setaysha, David Mattila, David Rothenberg, and Mike Moran.  We also got to attend a benefit concert for the WhaleSong in the beautiful city of Paia.  In my free time, I ate, slept and ran.  Also, we were able to go on a whale friendly whale watching tour.  Here are a couple of pictures from that - I really saw this with my own eyes!:

We were very lucky to see some whales up close and it was amazing, for sure. 

All in all, it was an awesome experience.  I learned so much and came away with some new perspectives!  Here is a picture of the team:

From left to right: Carly, Laura (our team leader), Jenny, (me), Jillian & Chloe
Awesome Team #2!!

If I get the opportunity to do this kind of research again, I will gladly jump on it.   If you have any questions or want to know more about my experience, just ask!

Aloha! doing field research, living the dream

Hi from sunny Hawaii!  Actually it's not sunny today, but has been for the most part.  I know you are wondering, what is she doing in Maui?  Well, I am thrilled to be participating in a Research Internship with the Ocean Mammal Institute!  I arrived on Jan 3 and will be departing on Jan 21. There are about 25 interns here doing:

• Studying the biology and behavior of whales and dolphins while you observe and record their spectacular behaviors.
• Learning and applying the principles of field research design on the impact of boats on the behavior of the humpback whale.
• Gaining a personal understanding of the politics of protecting endangered species. Learning about current research on whales and dolphins around the world and related conservation issues.
• Being introduced to the field of Ecopsychology which studies the relationship between humans and the natural world.

We are broken down into teams of 4 or 5.  We go out into the field, which is a mountain side, set up a theodolite (surveyors type equipment with 30x magnification), have a data recorder, and people on binoculars as spotters.  We look for and watch humpback whales, track there movement and then watch for boat interactions.  We do this for 4 hours per day.  Then we have about 4 hours to analyze and report the data we recorded in the field, and in this time we also work on reading articles.  In the evening we have about 2 hours of evening lecture to go over our articles and continue learning!  

I am having a wonderful time, learning a ton and enjoying Hawaii.  I don't have too much free to get out on the island, but the pure beauty here is amazing.  I cannot help but admire and enjoy my surroundings.  I will post some pictures and more info on this soon.

On a side note, I achieved my goal of getting all A's in my fall semester of pre-requisites towards veterinary school!  Woot Woot!  Now onto the next semester...