Wow what a day! I feel the need to complain but I will restrain myself because although it was long, I still had a blast! Who knew that waking up at 4:45am could actually make you more energized for the day? I sure didn't because before today, I thought waking up at 7:30am was early! I take it back! Let me sleep in!
It was still dark this morning when we set out in the boat. Our destination was Brady's Beach which is on the west side of Bamfield and a little bit farther south. It took about 45 minutes to hike there. I normally don't mind hiking but hiking in rubber boots sure is tough! There are so many hills around here and it's so tricky maneuvering your way in big old galoshes. Either way we made it alive to the beach and just in time for the 'sunset' (it was overcast). Our prof gave us a brief safety talk then we were free to explore the beach. It was really fun walking around and investigating all the cool things the environment had to offer! Yes, it smelled like rotting fish but after awhile I didn't even notice! I was indeed 'one with the tide' as it ebbed and flowed around me. (Karina, are you proud?) There were so many starfish (Pisaster to be specific) and a whole bunch of barnacles! I have to say rubber boots are an excellent invention since my feet did not get wet once today and I was standing in several tide pools.
If you haven't noticed yet Reader, the titles of these Bamfield entries have all been the highlights of my days here. Today is no different. I am a sucker when it comes to molluscs, end of story. I love them, I love what they do and I love learning about them. This year in my invertebrates class (back at my home university) we learned about limpets. I'd never heard about limpets before! You can understand why I was extremely shocked to find numerous limpets scattering the rocky shores this morning. I managed to pry a limpet off the rocks and investigate him at a closer glance. Now this limpet was simply incredible! He was bold, brave and pretty cute at the same time. I named him Bob and for about half an hour Bob was suctioned onto the knuckle of my right ring finger. What a guy! I was very sad when I had to put him back (he was getting a little dry) but I think he knew how I felt! For those of you who have never seen a limpet before, check out this YouTube link! They're just so adorable! (They're basically snails hiding under a lamp shade...)
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79RvGRUdnwE)
The rest of the day was filled with lectures and seminars and a random deer jumping out in front of me (okay that was kind of cool). We did start Cnidarians today (jellyfish, anemones, hydras, etc.) and the class was split into groups to perform skits portraying the different life stages of these creatures. Needless to say the skits were pretty much hilarious! Dancing jellyfish, asexual reproduction through song and who could forget the joke telling larva? It was definitely worthy of applause.
Unfortunately we will be up at the same time tomorrow morning, heading out to a different beach. We also have our first quiz tomorrow so I still have a bit of work to do tonight. But I probably won't be up much later. I need sleep like nobody's business! I am excited for the adventure tomorrow though! And besides tomorrow is Friday! Nothing wrong with that! Thanks again for reading and keeping up with me Reader! It really means a lot to know that I have people back home following my adventures/shenanigans! I miss and love you all!
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