Monday, June 29, 2015
A Day in the Forest and on the Beach!
A Very Long Day and Late Night
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Today was a rollercoaster
Pura Vida, Kallie and Kowsar
Friday, June 26, 2015
In the Name Science
I will begin with an apology to all who were expecting an entertaining blog. Sadly, you are stuck with the musings of a boring teacher. You see, the student researchers are preoccupied with experimental revisions, data analysis and presentation preparations.
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Pancakes, Spaghetti, and Chicken
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Butterflies, Both in Our Stomaches and In the Air
Today we woke up at a very early school-like time at 6:40. After scarfing down breakfast of beans and rice, scrambled eggs and fresh fruit we took a tour bus for a half an hour ride to the Canopy Zip-line Tour. When we arrived at our destination the air was electric with excitement and energy. To get up into the forest canopy we had to hike for a good while until we reached our first platform. The four instructors gave us a last minute rundown before they hooked us in and one by one we went gliding over the forest... it was magnificent! There was a total of 12 platforms with the last one being two football fields long and coming out of the forest into a open field. The view was stunning. After everyone calmed down we went for a short drive to our second destination which was a butterfly farm. On the way to the farm we stopped on the side of the road to observe a sloth chilling in a tree. At the farm Eduardo, the owner, welcomed us with open arms. He showed us many types of butterflies in their different stages. We then went into the netted farms and observed the most spectacular display of butterflies we have ever seen, ranging from monarchs to blue-morphs.
We then came back to Finca la Anita and worked on our science projects. At dinner we sang Pablo Happy 50th birthday. (And Happy Birthday to you Heather! From Kallie)
Danny Chen
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
It Rained and Rained and Rained and Rained
Another incredible day in the beautiful rainforest of Costa Rica. While yesterday was divided between field work and a fun activity, today's activity was primarily research. Beginning with our morning meeting, we prepared to determine if Escovopsis is present in the fungus we collected. After feasting on the best cinnamon rolls we have ever eaten, we returned to our research. Each group, the Go Pro or Go Homes, Los Mejores Buscadores, Attapocalypse, and KC=Msquared, focused on a problem to test over the next 3 days. Many interesting ideas regarding devastation of cacao plant leaves by leafcutter ants were discussed. There were some friendly discussions suggesting future Nobel Peace Prize recipients because of our work! We just like to look at it as solving the world's problems one cacao plant at a time. Each group had to present their experiment to Dr. Pinto, Pablo, and Mr. Leventhal and the rest of our crew. It felt like a reality show competition as Dr. Pinto circled our work stations, "fifteen minutes everyone!" We were graced with the presence of a very large, smartphone-sized, beetle today. Everyone was surprised by how soft it was but not by its massive pinchers and eagerness to pinch Dr. Pinto. While today was more science focused, we can already see how connected each group is becoming to their specific problem. The word rainforest is an understatement-it rains every couple of hours, sometimes pouring, sometimes sprinkling...but always wet.
Adios Amigos,
Kallie and Lexis
Pictures - Pictures - Pictures
There has been an impassioned request for pictures...
These days are long, beginning at 6:00 am and ending at 9:00 pm... yesterday the photographer misplaced a critical cable to upload photos. After a long search, the missing cable was uncovered... so here are some pictures from the past two days.
These days are long, beginning at 6:00 am and ending at 9:00 pm... yesterday the photographer misplaced a critical cable to upload photos. After a long search, the missing cable was uncovered... so here are some pictures from the past two days.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Day 3-Horses and Ants
It was early morning start as we began our day with a nature walk through the jungle. For two hours we were able to capture some incredible images of rivers, plants and some new creatures. Soon after breakfast we rode a bus to the horse stable where we were able to gallop on rugged trails, up steep mountain trails, through rivers and across long grass fields. It was a little shaky for a lot of us newbies at first, however soon we were galloping like real cowboys! Then after an excellent lunch, we began the first part of our field work. Each research team found various leaf cutter ant colonies, and using Dr. Pinto's techniques, we were able to collect multiple fungus gardens, along with several queens. Later we were able to create new homes for each of the queens. Finally, after dinner Lev gave us a presentation about how to take incredible pictures of nature...Suddenly we realized how inexperienced we are in the art of picture composition. We are continuing to learn a lot while gaining lots of new and exciting experiences! Everyone is doing amazing!
Jenna and Maddy
Sunday, June 21, 2015
The Day of The Termite
Hello all it is Davis and Lane speaking to you from La Anita,
On the second day of our 4,000 mile journey we awoke from Cabin #9 and stepped outside to a serene and cloudy day. Ate some eggs, ate some beans, ate some rice, the usual. Pablo, the owner, then treated us to a presentation describing the production of his pride and joy, his cacao. We tried a variety of La Anita's chocolate and can say that it is some of the best in the world. A slight drizzle had started to fall as we began our first hike touring the plantation. Then we learned the true meaning of rainforest. It started raining like a group of people pouring into a store on black friday... but the rain equivalent. At this point we were 1.5 miles into dense forest, and the thunder bouncing off the mountains was deafening. Needless to say our boots were the homes of new Costa Rican lakes. We made our way back to the Resort for lunch and some well needed rest and drying. Now started our introduction to the science portion of our trip. We formed research teams and met Dr. Pinto, who is the Ant Man. We agree that never have we seen more bugs crawl on a man without him caring. He brought us to a giant leaf cutter ant colony and showed us where to look for the fungus garden, the different types of ants, and the trails the ants follow to the nests. He showed us how hard a soldier ant can bite, letting one gash open his thumb. He also showed us how when they bite they don't let go, so if you ever have a gash in the forest you can use some leaf cutters to seal the wound. Suddenly, a swarm, a black swarm of the most annoying things ever seen by a group of 17 year old suburban kids. We were informed that they were termite queens, harmless to the skin, but a deadly weapon to your conscious. We are now here before dinner writing this blog swatting them away. Thats all the time we have folks, all your kids love you and maybe can't wait to see you.
On the second day of our 4,000 mile journey we awoke from Cabin #9 and stepped outside to a serene and cloudy day. Ate some eggs, ate some beans, ate some rice, the usual. Pablo, the owner, then treated us to a presentation describing the production of his pride and joy, his cacao. We tried a variety of La Anita's chocolate and can say that it is some of the best in the world. A slight drizzle had started to fall as we began our first hike touring the plantation. Then we learned the true meaning of rainforest. It started raining like a group of people pouring into a store on black friday... but the rain equivalent. At this point we were 1.5 miles into dense forest, and the thunder bouncing off the mountains was deafening. Needless to say our boots were the homes of new Costa Rican lakes. We made our way back to the Resort for lunch and some well needed rest and drying. Now started our introduction to the science portion of our trip. We formed research teams and met Dr. Pinto, who is the Ant Man. We agree that never have we seen more bugs crawl on a man without him caring. He brought us to a giant leaf cutter ant colony and showed us where to look for the fungus garden, the different types of ants, and the trails the ants follow to the nests. He showed us how hard a soldier ant can bite, letting one gash open his thumb. He also showed us how when they bite they don't let go, so if you ever have a gash in the forest you can use some leaf cutters to seal the wound. Suddenly, a swarm, a black swarm of the most annoying things ever seen by a group of 17 year old suburban kids. We were informed that they were termite queens, harmless to the skin, but a deadly weapon to your conscious. We are now here before dinner writing this blog swatting them away. Thats all the time we have folks, all your kids love you and maybe can't wait to see you.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Safe and Sound
It was a grueling day that began at 1:00 a.m. for some as the Ranger's Research Team made their way to MSP airport by 3:15 in the morning. While construction on HWY 5 conspired to make a few of the travelers late, we all managed to get through the security check and on the plane to Houston. We had a three hour layover before boarding a plane for the final leg of our trip to Liberia, Costa Rica.
Fortunately, customs and immigration were uneventful as we transitioned from getting there to being there. Our transport to La Anita included a great lunch in Liberia and a 2 1/2 drive from the dry Pacific coast to our lodge nestled in a volcanic valley.
It is now 8:20 pm in Costa Rica and 9:20 in Minnesota. The chore of blogging has fallen on this chaperone as all of the Ranger Researchers are nowhere to be found... could it be that they have retired to their cozy cabinas for a restful night of sleep?
Fortunately, customs and immigration were uneventful as we transitioned from getting there to being there. Our transport to La Anita included a great lunch in Liberia and a 2 1/2 drive from the dry Pacific coast to our lodge nestled in a volcanic valley.
It is now 8:20 pm in Costa Rica and 9:20 in Minnesota. The chore of blogging has fallen on this chaperone as all of the Ranger Researchers are nowhere to be found... could it be that they have retired to their cozy cabinas for a restful night of sleep?
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