12.21.08
On Vacation
Sorry I have been so bad about updating my blog lately but it’s not going to get any better for a week or two.
Libby & Jeff
I finished my first aid training Friday before last and went out for field work for the first time. Field work this time meant visiting properties that had been participating in a government program to restore remnant vegetation using different techniques that the landowners had indicated willingness to try. (In reality they were being paid) From Planting and removal of of weeds to fencing out livestock and at one site even doing nothing apparently. We’d hike out to a randomly selected spot, create a 100 meter by 40 meter plot and count vegetation until we ran out of pencil graphite. I learned a great deal and had a very good time. I really enjoy my coworkers (even after 5 days with no other company), Garreth, Libby, Jeff and our fearless leader Dave.
Dave
Garreth
Today I am off to begin my vacation. I have gotten the car packed and am heading up the coast northward to warmer water for a Christmas holiday of snorkeling, diving and camping. I will be without internet probably the entire time but will post when I return in 2 weeks.
I love you all and have a safe and wonderful holiday season!
btw….. it’s supposed to be 88 degree on christmas…..at the beach. I’ll be thinking of you guys 
12.03.08
Conference and Snorkeling!
This week I have been in Sydney attending a conference, ESA 2008 (Ecological Society of Australia). So far it as actually been very interesting. The talks are mostly well thought out and presented and the information is all new to me (which makes paying attention a little easier). The hostel I am staying though is terrible. I have an interior room and they have had moisture issues at some point cause you can see the plaster mildew in some corners. Then last night I discovered there are also huge ass brown cockroaches! like 2 inch long cockroaches. It’s really terrible. I would leave but because of the conference everything within walking distance is booked up. So I will endure. The bedding is clean at least.
So today was a break day from the conference. They plan it so Monday and Tuesday are conference days, Wednesday there are organized field trips if you want, then Thursday and Friday are more conference days. Instead of going on a trip (which ARI would have had to pay for) Garreth suggested that we go snorkeling. So we took the Manly ferry to Manly (which had Manly lifeguards, what a great name for a place) and walked around the cov to a nice little beach that happened to be a marine reserve. There were beautiful seaweeds and arthropods and the water was turquoise. Best of all the water was warm. Like swim suit, could have stayed in for 45 minutes warm. Amazing. One of the fish that we saw has obviously gotten used to people and perhaps had even gotten used to being fed because it kept following us. It was a large blue grouper.
Blue Grouper
At first I was a little nervous of him because he kept following me and he obviously wasn’t concerned about how close he got. They do have rather large mouths. but then I realized he was just hoping for a hand out.
Friday and Saturday and essentially free days so I will take my camera out and get some pictures of Sydney.
Random Extra Pictures that I found:
Sydney Opera House from the Manly Ferry
Regatta Day in Sydney Bay
Manly Beach (had Manly Lifeguards)
