From Snails to Whales: Charlette

Showing posts with label Charlette. Show all posts

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Playing Peek-a-boo with...Northstar & Hippocampus! Whale Watch

1, 2, 3, red light...nope its the BHC's catamaran style boat used for, Whale Watching...welcome aboard!

Now how could I have enrolled in a course titled: Snails to Whales without coming to full circle of getting a look at a whale too, not happening!

As I kept my eyes gazed over the open waters, and ears akin to antenna for the whale sighting announcement...at last a pair of humpback emerge. Unfortunately, the pair affectionately named, Hippo campus & North star did not emerge together in my frame.

Yikes!
Arent the people aboard that tiny boat a tad bit scared? Nope, I guess not, since they made no attempt to move out of the dynamic duo's way, just went on business as usual.

So, then here is Hippo campus :)!

On location I was shown a young whales vertebrae which is akin to a cut of meat that I enjoy eating from the ox's tail, called "oxtail".


oxtail bone

Lastly, my final picture during our whale watch field trip that I will say so long to North star.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

S2W Assignment 2: Shells by the Harbor shore

By this time during our observation, the sun had beat me down to exhaustion and my mind was in shambles akin to knotted wrack weed ha-ha! However, I could still appreciate the aesthetics of the snail shells which were a delight to see at the end of our island adventure. Yet, the shells were very fragile to the touch but pretty to look at up close. These species are known as the Garden (land) snail. By my theory the snail end up on the shore land brought by birds, and maybe tide wash up, then they may die out due to the rough land living of an island world, and not the luxury of garden world. The specific two snails I observed were called a brown and white lip snail. Sorry, I did not get a picture of the actual snail, but here is my drawing from memory.

S2W Part II: Tide Pool -Lovells Island

Our part II adventure of the day occurred on Lovells Island, National Park area. Thanks to Mr. Charlie G we arrived fresh off the boat "Belle" from the Boston Harbor waters to start our field observation on land. Boyyy...it was a scorcher on the HOT dial!

In the 3 tide pools, I observed several of the same species being the Periwinkle, Barnacle, Invasive Asian Shore Crab, then on land an uncommon colored (not traditional red) Lady Bug that was -yellow and it was found in my hair :)!

This species was seen in all the tidal pools ( Common Perwinkle) we visited which is noted in our hitchhikers guide.

Periwinkle drawing


Invasive Asian Shore Crab

The IASC lives in the intertidal and sub-tidal habitat while its reproductive season is May thru September. The crab I held in between my thumb and forefinger was about the size in between a nickel/dime circumference.
http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/Nonindigenous_Species/Asian_shore_crab/asian_shore_crab.html


Yellow Lady Bug


Barnacle

The barnacle, I observed was the Northern Rock Barnacle which is a noted hitchhiker guide.

The lady bug species is considered to be nature's pest control. Unfortunately, I could not find the proper name of this species.
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/tag/agriculture/#.U8vNObGTI6w

https://learn.bu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_18098_1%26url%3D

S2W Part I: Recreational Fishing -Here fishy-fishy!

First of all, I want to say that this class will be filed away in my psyche, as one of my fave college experience next to winning a Coach Bag at the "Not Your Grandma's Bingo night!" Truly, I am not a boater; however, I do love a cute Sperry boat shoe which I will wear next time. I did enjoy this excursion on the water to participate in our field trip of Recreational Fishing. Geesh! I have been photo bombed by the "pirate mop" ha-ha-ha!

Part I
Introducing the "Sea worm" this thriving species made it debut as bait to catch our fish. My observation was this species was not a happy camper, by rapidly extending its pinchers out to stick foreign fingers. The poor things were being grabbed up to be placed on the hooks, as bait. The Sea worm estimate was about 8"; appearing a dull gray color with an orange/reddish highlight along its edges by its quickly moving uncountable feet , with an estimate of about 6-8 body sections where the prime area consisted of the worms excrement section and a deep vein down the backside of its belly.


CPE Sea Worm drawing

Our first catch was a "Black Sea Bass" that was in full defense mode throwing up its signs of the will to live flexing his dangerous top fins that cut a few classmates poking fingers. The BSB was a color mix of deep charcoal gray, black speckles, and white under body at a length of about 14".

Black Sea Bass

BSB2

BSB3

BSB4


CPE Black Sea Bass drawing

Our second catch were a couple of floppy right side eyed flounder, but not simultaneously. They were 12" and 16" in length having merging eye balls to its right side. The hue on the body in my view appears to be sort of greenish brown with a couple of dark age spots throughout its right side only with pale pink fins; however, on the flip (left) side it was a white silvering hue which we noted as its blind side due to not having eyeballs on this side, as for this species, they migrate around to the right side.

Flashy Flounder

Our third catch was a Silver Hake Whiting. This fish was about 7-10", the color was not a full silver hue, but it was black mix with silver tones. We kept this pair around for the trip, and used one as bait which I think was on his last moments of life. This fish is a neighborhood favorite where I live. In someways, it reminds me of a gold fish, except longer and darker.

Our last catch was of the infamous Stripe Bass. Mr. SB was the highlight of our fishing recreation coming in at a length of 38" which I called out after merely catching a glance at it from my peripheral view. I have been told by a young classmate in Summer I that I have "measuring eyes" ability which is to perceive the most accurate measure of something without a ruler, ha-ha!

The Stripe Bass color was a granite silver with black and some white under tones. Also, lending to its first name Stripe there were 8 horizontal stripes along the body. I was very excited, and appreciative of getting to take home a piece for cooking, but sorry to report due to the HOT weather my fish turned fishy...eww!

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Got (Identification) Species? Team OBG (Oldie But Goodies)

My team OBG (Oldie but Goodies) members and I observed a total of 15 species while on the docks along the Barking Crab. In my observation, I am able to identify several species. Therefore, I will describe the species and estimation of size to the best of my knowledge with the support and results gathered from my team member’s research discussion, personal pictures, our guide book, and the internet.

The first species, at first glance to me resembled a green collard like seaweed, but then a careful reconsideration it appeared to me as a piece of “Boston lettuce.” However, with research I was able to make a positive identity with review through my personal picture, and guide book to be of the origins from Green Seaweeds family Ulva lactuca called sea lettuce (Gosner P1 .1).

The second species, a brown seaweed that appeared at first glance to resemble burnt spinach fettuccine, but at a closer look it was discovered to have several sacs along the ligaments which had orange color on the sac portion along with imprints of snowflake and nail art flowers. The discovery of this species is from the origins of rockweeds and related brown seaweeds called knotted wrack weed (Gosner P1 .2).

The third species, at first look, we described as a string like shape forming or camouflage shrimp like creature on the seaweed that was the size of a finger-tip length wise proved a challenge to identify. Next, attempt to identify this species appeared to have praying mantis and shrimp like features which was a greater help. The discovery of this species identity is from the origins of the Caprella called skeleton shrimps (Gosner P1 .53).

The next species that we could not keep alive long enough due to immediate sun exposure was cooking right before our eyes turning a pink in color from its original clear larvae type. This species resembled was researched to be a crab larvae, funny without any crab characteristics to general look of the original creature.

An egg size mussel was another species was identified with two other mussels attached by a string like ligament, not positive if it was seaweed or a true tendon of the species. The other two mussels were of different size: one of a pea while the other was the length size of a human finger nail. All were on the color spectrum of being a mix of blue, black, and dark brown. I found this species was the easiest to identify because I eat them on occasion steamed with white wine and garlic. A Blue Mussel.

Another shrimp like species was along the size of a ¼ carat diamond that was clear in color with an appearance to have antenna, and several legs. Unfortunately, I could not positively identify how many legs or true identity due to the seconds of sun exposure caused the creature to die.

In the water, I observed a brownish green species that resembled a snow flake that could have been weather beaten. I identify this species to be of origin of Chondrus crispus family called Irish moss weed (Gosner P1. 7).

Next, the Ivory Barnacle species was easily identifiable by being observed previously with Prof. BB on our second field trip, and along the fan pier docking. The guide calls this species a “hitchhiker” because they attach themselves onto other species and travel outside of their original origin. The specific identity of the barnacle is of origin to the Balanus (acorn barnacles) eburneus family which resembled a miniature assembly of a honey comb hive that had a whitish ivory in color and around the same size as a 1-3yr old baby tooth.

I identified the ribbed lace weed which is from the membranoptera species family floating in the murky colored water of the harbor. To my untrained eye this resembled a reindeer antler (Gosner P1. 6).

Another species of seaweed resembled a slab of soggy bread with a yellowish tinge color that was tangled within the other seaweeds. This species was Sea Colander (Gosner).

I saved another easy identity of a species. We are New Englanders’ and who cannot identify a LOBSTAH (lobster) not just any lobster though but a Maine species which was brought up in the yellow lobster trap. In putting myself in a lobsters mind, I thought just maybe they imagined they were in NYC trying to hail a yellow taxi...hey TAXI...oh no its a TRAP...ha-ha!

Another species that was easy to identify was a crab, but not just any crab it was of the origin Libinia emarginata family called Common Spider Crab. They were at first glance a charcoal color; however, upon careful viewing of my pictures the color of the crab was a muddy brown, and was the size of an average female fist (Gosner P1. 60) Also, we saw a deceased mud crab which was toast on the dock after the birds got finished it with it, but it was still recognizable to identify from the origin of P. Herbstii family

Also, in the lobster trap was another species of crab from the origin family swimming and rock crabs called...guess what...a Rock (Cancer irroratus) Crab that both appeared as a reddish orange color which were also carrying a few Barnacles on the top of its shell. The 2 Rock Crab descriptions are: the first was the size of an informal circle/oval appearance of a medium warped saucer, while the other was a size resembling a small keepsake promotional Frisbee in an informal circle diameter shape (Gosner P1. 61).

The famous jelly fish species was easily identifiable because of it being observed in my youth. However, I cannot say definitely if this is the same species. I describe the resemblance of a round base mostly clear in color with pertinent white trim with a 4 leaf clover shape inside which had a pulsating swagger. I cannot say definitely, if this is the specific species, I recall from my youth, but I knew it was a jelly fish. Also, we previously saw this species with Prof. BB on our second field trip along the Harbor. The true identity of the jelly fish is from the origin Aurelia aurita called Moon Jelly (Gosner P1. 31).

Lastly, the final species, I laid my eyes upon was of another famous sea creature called the Star Fish. The color of this species was a burgundy brownish oatmeal colored freckles with an orange/yellowish pertinent dot on the middle of the 5 point even body. Yet, the true identity is from the origin Asteriid Sea Stars called Boreal (A. vulgaris) Asterias (Gosner P1. 63).

From Snails to Whales

Welcome to Snails to Whales, Bruce Berman's blog focused on both the little and the big things that make Boston Harbor such an interesting and extraordinary place to live, work and play.

With 50 miles of protected water, four sheltered bays, seven river systems, 34 islands and a nine-foot average tide, Boston Harbor is one of the most diverse urban ecosystems in America.

This blog focuses on the flora and fauna of Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay - on the beach, the shore, and the harbor islands, and in the cleaner waters of Boston Harbor and Mass Bay - including this ecosystems most important species - people.

During the summer, it is also a place for my Boston University Students and my colleagues at Save the Harbor / Save the Bay to share their work and experiences.

Where I am coming from...

Love that clean(er) water
Learning about the Boston Harbor Cleanup from the waterway’s eyes, ears, and mouthpiece

By Brian Fitzgerald, BU Bridge

On Georges Island, Bruce Berman talks with his students about the history of the Boston Harbor Cleanup,
which is largely complete. Photo by Vernon Doucette

Bruce Berman, aboard a ferry from Boston’s Long Wharf to Georges Island, poses a question to his students: “How clean is clean enough?”

He’s talking about the water below.

It’s a brilliant July day, with the smell of salt spray in the air. The sky is clear, and so is the ocean. But there was a time when Boston Harbor wasn’t so clean, when the stench of sewage assaulted the nostrils of anyone who went near it.

Berman is the communications director for Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, a public-interest environmental advocacy organization whose mission is to help restore and protect the harbor and Massachusetts Bay. He also teaches a Metropolitan College summer course called Politics, Public Relations, and Public Policy: The Boston Harbor Cleanup.

“The Boston Harbor Cleanup is an amazing success story, and I just love to share it with students,” says Berman, noting that the harbor’s “bad old days” weren’t that long ago. Those were the days when untreated human waste, syringes, condoms, and tampon applicators routinely washed ashore. The antiquated sewage treatment plants on Deer Island and Nut Island were so poorly designed and maintained that they flooded during even mild rainstorms, sending millions of gallons of untreated waste directly into the harbor.

Since then, bacteria counts in the water have decreased by more than two-thirds. Now the harbor teems with plants and animals, and people can legally dig for clams on Carson Beach in South Boston, which was unheard of in the 1980s.

“It was one of the filthiest harbors in America, and now it’s one of the cleanest,” says Berman. “What I’m trying to impress upon students is how this incredible comeback occurred, and how business, advocacy groups, environmentalists, and government can affect the outcome of large projects such as the Boston Harbor Cleanup through negotiation.”

Paradise regained

Berman points to the left as the boat cruises by the cleanup’s centerpiece: the gargantuan white egglike tanks of the Deer Island waste treatment plant, which in 1995 replaced the antiquated facility. The plant treats an average of 350 million gallons of sewage a day.

“And what comes out of the Deer Island treatment plant?” he asks. Berman, his booming baritone competing with the roar of planes taking off from Logan Airport, has a habit of putting students on the spot to see if they’re paying attention.

“The outfall pipe,” say several simultaneously. “Treated water,” chime in a few more.

“That’s right,” he says with a smile. “The plant separates the solid and liquid waste, and it pumps the treated water through the 9.5-mile outfall pipe, which empties into Massachusetts Bay. The resulting sludge is converted to high-grade fertilizer.”

Now Berman returns to his original question: “How clean is clean enough?” There’s no quick and clear answer to this one. “It’s a question that at the end of the day the federal courts had to decide.”

In 1985, a landmark federal court case required that the harbor’s beaches be made swimmable and fishable by 2000. Save the Harbor/Save the Bay was formed the next year to raise public awareness of the $4.5 billion Boston Harbor Cleanup. Sewer ratepayers in the 43 cities and towns financing the project cried foul over the prospect of astronomically rising bills, but because of the determination of environmental advocacy groups such as Berman’s, the cleanup was largely completed on schedule.

Berman says it isn’t finished, however. There are still frequent beach closures because the counts of Enterococcus bacteria exceed the federal and state standard for swimming. The culprit: filthy storm water and sewage, much of it from leaky pipes and illegal hookups emptying into storm sewers, and then into the harbor.

“So is the harbor clean enough,” the Springfield native asks his students, “when you can’t swim in it one out of five days in the summer?”

Work to be done

Berman and his class look out from Georges Island to Gallops Island (left) and the white tanks of the waste treatment plant on Deer Island (right). Photo by Vernon Doucette

This summer the state approved one of the last parts of the cleanup: the construction, by 2011, of a 2.1-mile tunnel near the Dorchester and South Boston shorelines that will hold sewage and storm water during bad weather. It then will be pumped to Deer Island for treatment.

Berman is ecstatic over this development, the result of “tireless negotiation and consensus-building,” he says. “After 2011, we’re looking at beach closings once every five years, when there is a major storm, instead of once every five days.”

But he is not about to let his guard down. To say that he is a man obsessed with the harbor cleanup would be an understatement. Berman is also Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s “Baywatcher,” and he lives on his 40-foot trawler Verandah. Polluters beware: if you’re discharging oil or sewage into Boston Harbor, the Baywatcher just might be watching.

He is quick to point out that his zealotry is not just on behalf of the harbor’s flora and fauna. “The harbor is for everyone,” he says. “If you’re from a working class or poor family in Boston, and you can’t afford a Cape Cod getaway in the summer, a clean harbor is important. The same is true if you’re a tourist vacationing in Boston or you happen to live in a pricey waterfront condo.”

Accordingly, Berman, who was a political consultant and contributing editor to the Phoenix newspaper before joining Save the Harbor/Save the Bay nearly 10 years ago, also teaches his students about the harbor’s role in the city’s economy. He points out that in the early 1990s, just a few ferries cruised the harbor’s waters. Today, more than 100,000 people visit its islands each summer, discovering their ecological and historic treasures.

“The best way to protect the harbor cleanup,” Berman tells his students, “is to make sure that the public has access to the resources and can see a return on its investment.”

Trevor Kosmolsick (MET’05) has lived in Boston for seven years, but until taking Berman’s course, he had never been to the waterfront. “I’ve also wanted to go camping in the area, but I never knew that you could camp on a few of the islands,” he says. “Bruce Berman is not only a great professor, but the ultimate tour guide.”

He also backs up his words with actions. Sometimes he takes off his shirt and dives in the water to demonstrate to passing boaters that it’s safe to swim. To show people on ferries that fishing is safe, he’s been known to grab one of the bluefish or striped bass he’s caught and (very carefully) plant a wet kiss on it.

“What I want everyone to understand is that investment in the environment really does pay off,” says Berman. “We’re willing to pay for a clean Boston Harbor, so we should enjoy it.”