Beam Reach

Week 1

It is hard to believe that I have already been here at the Friday Harbor Labs for a full week! This is the first entry and a lot has happened so here goes…

Arriving here was crazy! I got up 3 am east coat time on about 4 hours of sleep (my moms 50th birthday surprise party was the day before) hopped on a plane, a shuttle, a ferry, and a taxi. Once I had arrived sweaty, tired and nervous I got to meet the people I would be spending the next 10 weeks with, what a wonderful chance to make a good first impression… everything went fine. The next days were filled with logistics of the program, getting to know one another, introductory lectures, and tours of the Island. We went to Lime Kiln state park on the west side, heard the whales were coming saw them about a mile out and then they turned around. So we saw them but only as small fins through binoculars. We went to meet Val and his wife Leslie where we got a nice intro to some equipment and current research on the orcas as well as a treat of homemade berry muffins. While there Fred Felleman stopped by and talked to us about the political side of the orcas. It was great to have his perspective and learn some about the role of NGO’s, individuals, and policy in conservation efforts. Another speaker we went to go see was John Stern. After driving up a road I thought would never end, we arrived at a beautiful house just in time for sunset. Dr. Stern was giving a talk to an EarthWatch crew and we tagged along. He is ‘the’ minke whale man as well as quite a character so it was a wonderful trip. Kari Koski the director of Soundwatch came and gave a presentation to us which gave me some more insight into the human impact / boat traffic that could be affecting the whales and ultimately influenced me to change my project to focus more on that topic (as of now I am looking at the masking affect of underwater sounds created by vessel traffic on orca communication). On Friday we did our swim test, and while many of us were dreading having to jump into the cold cold water, it was a sunny 78 degrees outside, so it was rather refreshing (but still chilly enough to make sure and stay out of the water while on the boat). Other non-academic events have been going to see a local production of “The Merchant of Venice”, walking to town, visiting the Whale Museum, going out to a Mexican restaurant for dinner, and having a group viewing of Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

All and all it has been a very exciting and rewarding week. Being in such a beautiful location with a great opportunity to learn even more than I already have… I cant wait for the next 9 weeks.

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