I'm supposed to inform everybody that the "suspected swine flu" people at Lincoln have tested negative.
So that's that = )
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Rain, rain, go away...
Hello all,
We finished up part of our leaf/bug collecting yesterday. It rained most of the time, and it was pretty cold, so I must confess that I was very miserable. At one point, we were in Cantaburry Park looking for plants and we came up to a plank for crossing the mini-river. So, we're crossing this slippery board, that was only about a foot wide, and has a handrail on only one side (I must note that it wasn't even a REAL handrail, it was a piece of thick wire, that's all), and when we make it across we find ourselves in someones backyard, and have to turn around. That was my adventure for the day, although the whole day was basically a drizzly adventure within itself.
The good news was, Lincoln's cafe, Mrs.O's, has delightful hot chocolate, with marshmallows included, so that saved the day.
Another story related to Mrs.O's: Lincoln University held a Texas Hold'em tournament, and some of us Americans played, not me of course, I played hearts with the other not-so-skilled poker players. Moral of the tale is Jane won! So, I thought it was pretty exciting that she beat a bunch of tough kiwi guys.
Today we did some computer analysis of our leaves. We traced the leaves several times to figure out how much herbivory each leaf experienced. It's quite a tedious process, but today we also got to listen to the department head talk about biogeography of NZ (basically what lives on NZ and why and when did it get here, etc. etc.), and it was quite interesting.
Tomorrow I belive we're doing my computer analysis and then visiting Lincoln's organic farm, so I thought that might be pretty neat, especially if it's sunny = )
For now,
Hilary
We finished up part of our leaf/bug collecting yesterday. It rained most of the time, and it was pretty cold, so I must confess that I was very miserable. At one point, we were in Cantaburry Park looking for plants and we came up to a plank for crossing the mini-river. So, we're crossing this slippery board, that was only about a foot wide, and has a handrail on only one side (I must note that it wasn't even a REAL handrail, it was a piece of thick wire, that's all), and when we make it across we find ourselves in someones backyard, and have to turn around. That was my adventure for the day, although the whole day was basically a drizzly adventure within itself.
The good news was, Lincoln's cafe, Mrs.O's, has delightful hot chocolate, with marshmallows included, so that saved the day.
Another story related to Mrs.O's: Lincoln University held a Texas Hold'em tournament, and some of us Americans played, not me of course, I played hearts with the other not-so-skilled poker players. Moral of the tale is Jane won! So, I thought it was pretty exciting that she beat a bunch of tough kiwi guys.
Today we did some computer analysis of our leaves. We traced the leaves several times to figure out how much herbivory each leaf experienced. It's quite a tedious process, but today we also got to listen to the department head talk about biogeography of NZ (basically what lives on NZ and why and when did it get here, etc. etc.), and it was quite interesting.
Tomorrow I belive we're doing my computer analysis and then visiting Lincoln's organic farm, so I thought that might be pretty neat, especially if it's sunny = )
For now,
Hilary
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Herbivory Research
Hello everybody.
We've spent the past two days, and tomorrow, doing herbivory research. We've spent our time at different field sites recording data on 4 native NZ plants in different types of environment (natural environments and restored environments), to see if bugs are present and if the bugs are eating the plants.
Basically, we find these plants, measure them, pick and take photos of the leaves (for analysis later to see how much has been eaten), and then wack the plant with a beating-stick and catch the invertebrates that fall out in a big tarp so that we can save them in ethanol.
I believe the hypothesis is that there will be more herbivory on remnant plants (plants that have always been there) than restored plants (plants that we recently planted). I hope that makes sense to you all. I can be pretty bad at explaining sciency things.
On a different note, there are two people at Lincoln University, where we're staying, that potentially have the swine flu. They're both being quarantined down the hall from me. But, I'm perfectly healthy, we all are, so that's good.
For now,
Hilary
We've spent the past two days, and tomorrow, doing herbivory research. We've spent our time at different field sites recording data on 4 native NZ plants in different types of environment (natural environments and restored environments), to see if bugs are present and if the bugs are eating the plants.
Basically, we find these plants, measure them, pick and take photos of the leaves (for analysis later to see how much has been eaten), and then wack the plant with a beating-stick and catch the invertebrates that fall out in a big tarp so that we can save them in ethanol.
I believe the hypothesis is that there will be more herbivory on remnant plants (plants that have always been there) than restored plants (plants that we recently planted). I hope that makes sense to you all. I can be pretty bad at explaining sciency things.
On a different note, there are two people at Lincoln University, where we're staying, that potentially have the swine flu. They're both being quarantined down the hall from me. But, I'm perfectly healthy, we all are, so that's good.
For now,
Hilary
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Our Canterbury Tales Thus Far...
Hello all,
We arived to Lincoln NZ a few days ago (after 36 hours of traveling), and have spent most of the past few days getting used to the country.
We got bus passes, so that we can easily travel to Christchurch and it's suburbs.
Some of the things we've done thus far...
1) Cathedral Square... right in the middle of downtown Christchurch
We walked around town to several different places including the Canterbury Museum (a pretty sweet Antarctic exhibit and some moa skeletons), the Art Gallery (at the old Canterbury College), and many little street vendors.
2) The Christchurch Botanical Gardens
It's sort of like the Central Park of Christchurch. The Avon River flows through it, and there were tons of really cool plants, like red wood trees, lots of orchids, fern trees, and NZs favorite... the koru.
It's a Maori symbol for new life and growth.
3) Willowbank
This is sort of a wildlife preserve. Basically the first part is a typical zoo, but with NZ animals (although most aren't originally from NZ). My favorite was the giant eel (that they let us pet... ). After, we had a show by some of the Maori people. Our own Ryan was appointed cheif, while some of us learned the haka (a pretty sweet Maori dance/chant) or poi twirling (basically, spinning these balls on a string--- the Maori originally used rocks to strengthen their wrists for fighting).
Then a delicious meal, where I tried mussles, which I will never ever ever eat again. But, at least now I know that I don't like them.
After dinner we went on a nocturnal animal walk were we got to see the kiwis!!! They were so cute! Also, we saw some kias, tuataras (dinosaur-lizards with three eyes), and some other cool animals.
4) Today was our free day. Some of us went to Sumner to a little beach (with lots of surfers), and then hiked up the hillside. It was a beautiful hike! (But pretty steep so I'm sure I'll be quit sore in the morning).
The backside was 10x prettier, but I couldn't find photos anywhere online.
Others of us went on a gondola ride up the hillside and went hiking around at the top.
Alright, that's basically all that we've done. Classes start tomorrow so we'll be out in the field doing herbivory studies.
Another thing that eveyone in everyone in America should know... New Zealanders have crazy hair! I've seen more mullets, rat-tails, and other crazy hair-do's than I have the rest of my life combined. I swear.
Oh, and everyone has perfectly shaped hedges.
On that note, Goodnight.
Hilary
Saturday, April 11, 2009
t-minus 10 days
Hello everybody!!!
Only a few days until we leave for New Zealand! We'll be staying at Lincoln University in Christchurch. Christchurch is the largest city on the south island of New Zealand. Just take a look at this handy map that I've found.
[Look at the east side of the South Island]
You can see that it's by that little bump (Banks Peninsula), which is where we'll be weta hunting.
Some fun facts about Christchurch:
-It is equally far south as Wavelry ,IA is north.
-It is a key departure point for Antarctic expeditions.
-Known as the "garden city".
-Parts of the Lord of the Ring films were shot here.
Our trip has two components: Ecology and Maori Culture
Some of the things we're doing include studying the weta (a nocturnal grasshopper-like creature), studying sand dune plants, going on a dolphin cruise to see Hector's Dolphins, hiking at Arthur's Pass, and perhaps going to a Maori (Native NZ people) hangi (it's a feast that's almost like a luau).
This little cutie is a type of tree weta that we'll be looking for.
Well, that is all for now, more to come soon!
Ka Kite Ano (until I see you again),
Hilary
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