Christopher Charles Reardon/ Sad then Happy Students

Whale Watch Cancelled: Sad Students

Decision to go to The New England Aquarium: Happy Students

Piranha

Atlantic Salmon

School Day

 

A Light Lunch

Brave Christopher: Touched one of these Rays 

Psychedelic Stuff 

Purple Sea Urchin

Anemone 

European Moon Jelly

Japanese Sea Nettle

Australian spotted Jelly & blue blubber

Sea Lions and Penguins

Southern Rockhopper 

Northern Fur Seal 

Christopher Charles Reardon/ Urban Affairs Meets Snails to Whales

Instead of a boat ride or a trip down to the waterfront to peer at the undersides of the piers to observe and record various forms of life we attended the Downtown Waterfront Municipal Harbor Planning Advisory Committee meeting. We heard from a number of speakers who talked about their visions for the future of the waterfront.

Yanni Tsipis from Colliers International representing the Boston Marriott Long Wharf talked about the Marriott’s vision for the waterfront property or as his company calls it the "edge activation project.” He explained the architecture of the Marriott and stated that originally the Marriott was built to protect "everything on the inside from the conditions on the outside." He talked about the Marriott’s vision for making the area around the hotel more attractive. He proposes building retail/restaurant space around the hotel. This retail space would be comprised of one-story buildings around the hotel. He also discussed needing to find a location for the "tour bus shanties" that surround the area. He expressed that the intention of the Marriott is make the wharf area an attractive retail corridor. He also stated that in order to offset the use of public space it might be a good idea to use the local parking lot as a park that would serve as a buffer. Several members of the advisory committee posed questions such as would you buy the parking lot from the Boston Redevelopment Authority and what are the dimensions of the one story pavilions. Furthermore, there were questions to Mr. Tsipis about pedestrian access, tables and seating for the public as well as the no trespassing signs in the area, and whether or not the area is public or private space. Other members of the advisory committee posed questions about the street vendors and what space they should fit into and how their kiosks affect property values. Moreover, one committee member expressed concerns that these new restaurants will ultimately have outdoor seating, which might extend the property even further. Finally, questions about how such a project would be commenced, and in what order was addressed.

Next, Dick Mulligan from the Boston Redevelopment Authority talked about his responsibility toward the waterfront area. He responded directly to Mr. Tsipis’ presentation and discussed the parking lot, specifically, if the parking lot goes away, where does the garbage go. He talked about the underlying issues at the waterfront that people do not ordinarily consider. He talked about the competing issues of a desire to bring more people to the waterfront yet dealing with the problem of homeless people and skateboarders. Mr. Mulligan talked about problems with tour buses: where did they go? He stated that he is excited about the vision for the waterfront and wants to embrace it. Questions Mr. Mulligan was asked included who owns the docks and what happens with nightlife in the area and late night drinkers.

Finally, from 255 State Street, Mr. David Lucey discussed his building as being a unique property. He explained that the reason this historical building was saved from the land clearing that allowed for the original Central Artery project was because of all of the telephone equipment in the building (it used to be a Nynex building). He talked about the plan for "activating the sidewalks" around the building by adding businesses. He states that he wants to add patios on three sides of the building. He also talked about issues of seawater creeping into waterfront properties and how he will need to move the building’s utilities in the basement up to the second floor. He discussed the problem with that: 5000 feet of lost rental space. When challenged as to what real hardship such a move would post, he discussed it in terms of lost rental property that would lead to reduced taxes and lower property values. He also talked about all of the buildings in the area and how all of the properties will ultimately have to address the problem with rising sea level.

Bud Ris president of the New England Aquarium discussed his conceptual Master Plan. He states that much of the aquarium planning involves wanting to organize everything that happens on the "city side" of the property. Mr. Ris stated that he wants to bring education out in front of the building and wants to look at the park and fountain that resulted from the elimination of the Central Artery as a connector. He talked about parking and the sun/shade as being big issues for his guests. He states that although some building projects won't have a lot of impact on shade in this area, he states that during the prime hours of the day that guests will be in the aquarium shade issues are still concerning. An interesting question was asked about water dependency. He explained that the New England Aquarium, since it relies on saltwater in the main tank, is designated as exempt from density issues under Chapter 91. He states that he would like to increase the visibility of the aquarium and showed artistic renderings of possible plans for the museum including gigantic LCD screens and architectural accents. He talked about a need for consistent pavement design as well as establishing a promenade down milk Street and perhaps a café and grill in the Western Plaza. Furthermore, he discussed adding an educational node on the south pier. Humorously, another staff member from the aquarium discussed improving the "brutalist” architecture of the aquarium itself.

A few minutes at the end of the hearing was open for public questions and comments, however, very little time was left for this. At the end of the meeting one man stood up and asked what the next public benefit of shifting open-space would be if it is located next to a dumpster. This man talked about the importance of having great parks in the city, especially on the waterfront.

This trip to the advisory committee approved an interesting one. Although we did not get to catch crabs or get wet, it was still interesting. One of the books on my summer reading list is The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs. I feel like after reading her book, what I witnessed at the advisory committee meeting will make even more sense to me than it already does.

Christopher Charles Reardon/ (Fabulous) Lovells Island Observation

On the final day of our first week in class, we had an opportunity to spend the day on The Belle where I—along with my classmates—had a chance to touch things and do things that I never thought I would ever have an opportunity to do: even things I did not necessarily want to do. We boarded The Belle at 8:30AM. The tide falling and there was a slight breeze and warm humid temperatures hovering around 80° even at that early morning hour. Shortly after we left the Courthouse Dock, Bruce discussed the color of the water which looked clearer and bluer that day than the previous one. Bruce explained that this could be due to the reflection from the blue sky (as the proceeding day the skies were cloudy). The boat crew instructed us to keep an eye out for birds, as flocks of birds are indicative of a fish population feeding below the surface.

When we arrived at a spot between Castle and Spectacle Islands the boat slowed and everybody began fishing. On the calm water, I could see bits of plankton and bits of brown foam on the water. Bruce directed us to look at the diatom algae that were busily pulling oxygen out of the water. Moments after we began fishing (and at Bruce’s urging, even I took a shot at fishing), one of my classmates caught a 15-inch Sea Bass. Shortly thereafter, somebody else caught a rare Sea Perch. We learned that the Sea Bass are a routine sighting in the harbor. A Mackerel was then caught. It was too small to eat, however, it was saved so that it could be used as bait later in the day in order to catch a striped bass.

Bruce then treated the class to a fish fillet and dissection session. As Bruce scraped off the scales, he gave us an opportunity to look at them. They were about the size of a dime, and whit/translucent with small vein-like structures running through them. Bruce discussed the order in which to clean the fish safely. First, he removed the fillet because he intended to eat the meat and avoided cutting open the stomach or the colon for fear of contaminating the filet. When Bruce found the stomach, he cut it open and found tiny shrimp: the Sea Bass’s last meal. Bruce stated that the shrimp in the stomach of the striped bass was Gulf of Maine Shrimp. We then learned that Sea Bass are actually hermaphrodites: starting off life with both male and female characteristics and as they grow older, transitioning to male identity. We were able to see from the hump on the Bass head, an indication that it was in the process of transforming to male.

Bruce showed the class a recipe for making charice. He cut the translucent fish up into small chunks and placed them in a cup. Then he covered the fish with lemon juice which cures (cooks) the fish, garlic paste, and hot peppers. After a few minutes, each classmate had an opportunity to try the fish. Because I do not eat seafood, I passed on this particular scientific observation. My classmates, however, stated that it tasted very good, lemony, and “garlicky.” After a brief boat relocation we stopped at a "fish haven" near spectacle Island. The captain explained that this area has been given back to the community after island construction. There are pyramids underwater that serve to protect sea life. Shortly after stopping at the Safe Haven, Bruce caught a striped bass measuring 36 inches, just over the legal limit. In order to prevent any suffering, Bruce immediately killed the bass and we observed the autonomic nervous system actions of the fish writhing for a few moments after it was killed.

When we arrived at Lovells Island, we walked across the landing and saw a sandy beach below. We then took a short walk down the trail to the rocky tide pool. We could hear many birds all along the walk and I commented to a classmate that I am not used to hearing the sound of birds, rather, I am more accustomed to the sound of car horns, squealing bus breaks, and sirens. On the island, it was hot and there was no wind. As we went down the trails, we looked for blackberries in the bushes. The rangers informed us that it is a carry-in/ carry-out island. Meaning, that there are no trashcans and one must bring all trash with him or her back to the mainland.

As soon as we got to the water, we had an opportunity to navigate the rocky shore and go in for a swim. The water was comfortable to swim in, however, due to the lowering tide, there wasn't much water to swim in. I imagine that once the tide returns to land, the swimming conditions are much better. As the tide came in, however, we witnessed one of the benefits of an incoming tide: the tide pool being refreshed. While I waded through the water, I made some discoveries including an ocean sail snail. It was a tiny snail, no larger than the fingernail on my ring finger and dark brown in color. I had an opportunity to observe the operculum that serves to close off the ocean snail when it is in a dry environment. I placed the snail on my hand and eventually, the snail began to explore the surface of my hand. Unfortunately, I never had a chance to look at the snail full-length because it never came out.

I found several crabs in the water and at Bruce's urging, I managed to flip over a rock and pick up a small invasive Asian Shore Crab. The crab was about the circumference of a fifty-cent piece. It was greenish brown. It moved quickly but made no effort to pinch me. In another tide pool I had an opportunity to look at something I had heard about and seen, however, never really explored. I touched (actually held) a hermit crab. The crab was in a white pointed shell only slightly larger than the eraser on a #2 pencil. As I held it in my hand, it splayed out its legs. I learned that the hermit crab travels from shell to shell and considers no individual shell its home for life. It goes from shell to shell whenever it wants.

On the way back to shore, we had an opportunity to watch Bruce completely clean the striped bass. Bruce made a point of not wasting a bit of it. After the captain was done removing the fillets, Bruce took over and cut off as much filet as possible so as not to waste a drop. The filet was white translucent and parts of the fish meat had tiny ribs in it. Bruce then removed the rope (the egg sac/ovaries) from the female fish. It was long dark yellow/orange and filled with red veins and sectioned-off sort of like an intestine. Later on, I had an opportunity to see the liver. The liver was a light brown color and surprisingly small: about the size of a Visine bottle only thinner.

Overall, this was an amazing day of science. Although I did not see as many individual species on the island as I did a the inner harbor, probably owing to he increased movement of the water at the mouth of the harbor as opposed to relatively placid and protected inner harbor. On this excursion, I had opportunities to see, do, and touch things I had never experienced before. Thank you so much for a wonderful experience Bruce. I learned more in the last three days in your classroom then I have ever learned in science class.

Christopher Charles Reardon/ Observations at the Barking Crab

Today our session was spent making observations of sea life in the field where we learned that just like with people, there is so much more than outer appearances that comprise a thing, that one must get below the surface with a critical and inquisitive mind in order to get to know what is really happening. 

Scientifically Loitering

We arrived at the edge of the Boston Harbor at nearly low tide. The winds were calm and the temperature was warm, probably 80°, when we started our observations. There were just a few wispy clouds in the sky and it was decidedly humid. We observed several species of creature in the intertidal zone, most notably, a seagull feasting on two green crabs. Attached to the harbor wall we saw long strands of dry and dark green rockweed. The rockweed has long arm-like tendrils with tiny "poppers" at the end of each strand. To me, the way that the rockweed splays seemingly randomly in various directions resembles the movement at the end of a mop scouring a kitchen floor. Since rockweed grows only in clean and nutrient rich waters, its presence is an indication that the harbor is thriving. We looked it algae growing on various surfaces. The algae was visibly dry, light green and very short, similar to the very short grass that might be found on a golf tee. Looking around at the different swaths of algae, it became quite noticeable that different portions of algae or the then dry harbor walls are at different stages of development. On the beach, we saw small rocks, sand, and sediment. Under the water, large growths of green seaweed were visible. On the beach, the seaweed looked dried-up seemingly dead. However, we learned that once the tide comes in, the seaweed will “come back to life." As we walked down the pier, we noticed some green seaweed that was very well developed. However, just a few feet away, some identical seaweed looked not quite so well developed, an indication that the sunlight helps the seaweed to thrive.

Good Morning

We enjoyed a great example of the activity below the surface when we saw people feeding striped bass with chunks of stale bread thrown down on the murky water. From a distance, the fish appeared to be roughly 18 inches long with three or four dark brown vertical stripes running from one end to the other end of the fish. The striped bass would come to the surface just long enough to snatch a piece of bread before, quite violently, plunging below the surface again.

On a small private finger pier and shortly thereafter at the Barking crab, we did our first hands-on observation where we got our hands wet. First we watched a rope being pulled out of the water which was covered with invasive crustaceans. This was the most colorful thing I saw all day as it was a jumble of sea life: some of that moving and some of it not. It looked like a great tangled mess of multicolored electrical cords and small pieces of brightly colored clothing. Attached to the pier pilings, a student with sharp eyes pointed out some Sea Stars. My eyes could just barely make them out but they appeared to be about the size of a saucer from below a teacup. They were light brown and attached to the piling: unmoving.

Team Lunch

Our team focused on several different life forms, primarily in the calm and relatively clear water surrounding the piers behind the Barking Crab. I could see clearly below the surface for the entire length of my arm.

The Blue Mussel: About one and a half inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Subtle ridges about 1/16” apart running along the length of the mussel from end to end. The muscle was closed and I made a mistake because I did not think to pull it open in order to see what lives inside.

Bay Barnacle: We studied two Bay Barnacles which were attached directly to the blue muscle. The barnacles have an ex cut through the top of each. The tops were open and folded back in triangles. The barnacles were off-white in color and coated in algae. The barnacles had a crusty hard texture, as one would imagine of a Barnicle. Each barnacle was about half the size of a Tic-Tac breath mint. 

Bushy Red Weed: We found what we believe to be Bushy Red Weed. Under the water where it was attached to the pier piling, it looked healthy and ever moving. The color was a dark purple. The weed consists of thousands and thousands of fibers that look like a disorganized spider web. While scrutinizing a photograph later in the day, I noticed some sort of creature living in the weed that I have yet to identify. It is gray in color and looks like it has a shell. I can see eyes on what would be its head and a spine running down the middle. I imagine that it is about ½ inch long. Perhaps it is a shrimp of some sort.

Golden Star Turnicate: We saw a fair amount of this invasive species coating many different things in our observation areas. We peeled it off on of our muscles. We also found it consisting of two different colors: a vivid orange and a more muted brown color. True to its name, the Golden Star Turnicate has hundreds and hundreds of tiny, almost microscopic, stars that may be best viewed with a magnifying glass. What at first looks like a solid orange mass is actually gelatinous looking and see-through except for where the stars are. On the underside of a portion of the Golden Star Turnicate we were able to see where it adheres to various species. It almost looks like little tiny barnacles on the underside of it. It is easy to see why the Golden Star sticks so well to whatever creature it sticks to because it looks very much like it has little suction cups all over the bottom of it.

Morton’s Egg Cockle: We found a small white shell with nothing inside of it. We looked through the book and tried to identify it. The shell is small and white. It is about the circumference of a nickel. It has ridges going across the entire surface. We looked through field guide and came to a consensus that it is the Morton’s Egg Cockle

Sea Lettuce: The sea lettuce was a fascinating thing to behold. It was bright green and lay out in ribbons somewhat like ribbon candies that one would find at Christmas. It was coated with insects or bugs of one form or another that we made a solid effort at identifying. We also found some red sea lettuce that at first we thought was a different species, however, it appeared to be attached to the green sea lettuce and merely a variant.

Sea Pill Bug: We believe that the inhabitant we found on the Sea Lettuce was the Sea Pill Bug. As described in our book, it was 3/8 of an inch long, and rolled up in a ball when we manipulated it. Through magnifying glass one could see dozens of tiny legs, antenna, and a tail. Its color was light brown and somewhat translucent.

Ascophyllum Mackaii (Rockweed): We saw an abundance of Ascophyllum Mackaii during our observations today. Near the Barking Crab, we found them attached to a blue hose. We found great long tendrils of this plant replete with poppers at the end of each strand, as well as some poppers midway. Upon closer inspection, each strand of the rockweed had a vein running down the center of it. This specimen appeared to be well developed, as there were multiple poppers at the end of each branch.

Below the Surface

It seems that our research could have gone on for days. Although we only focused on seven or eight different species, it became clear to our team that there are probably thousands of species around that dock. This observation gave me a new awareness of the richness that lies just below the surface of all things.