Thursday, July 25, 2019

Day 10: Turtle capture and release: Matapalito Bay, North Shore of Santa Rosa National Park

This first picture shows why we were up early to travel across the bay to the sea turtle haven on the north side of Santa Rosa National Park:  If you leave early, there is typically less wind and better visibility while snorkeling. Half the group went across the bay in a local fishing boat, the other half  took a more leisurely crossing aboard a sail boat.  Upon arrival, both groups put on their fins, mask and snorkel along with their safety open water bubbles (used by triathletes - now, budding marine researchers).  

During the crossing some saw a humpack momma and her calf and on the way back the fin of another whale. Most saw butterfly fish, puffer fish, angel fish, parrot fish, and needle fish. Two side-by-side eagle rays were seen by some, and many sea urchins and territorial fish hiding between the barbs were noticed by all. Excellent conditions for Equipo Tora Carey (Team Hawksbill) to net three sea turtles: a small Indo-Pacific black turtle, a Hawksbill turtle and later a decent sized Indo-Pacific just prior to departure. 

In the afternoon we went to Playa Rajada for swimming, walking and hang out time along the shore of a beautiful beach at sunset. We snapped the classic sunset "jump" photo of all and headed to Kembly's for our final BBQ meal with Equipo Tora Carey. We enjoyed a barbecue at our host site and showed all the kids (and adults) of Equipo Tora Carey how to make s'more sandwiches with marshmallows, chocolate and cookies A definite hit!

The night ended with groups of students chatting up Equipo Tora Carey volunteers (from France!) and meandering through town in a nostalgic mode.  


What's that?

Is it a turtle?

It looks like 2 turtles... floating.

How many are there?

Definitely two - Mating?

Yes, mating.

Betin and Danielson maneuvered our boat right alongside with the motor off... We could reach over the side and actually touch them, but we didn't. Soooo AMAZING!

Good luck Olive Ridley's!

Looks like the Titanic on her way down, but these are subducted geologicformations - Very cool!

Team Equipo Tora Carey - at least, part of it!

Indo Pacific and Hawksbill.

Where are the snorkelers...?

Right there, 6


See?!

We all got to take part in the data collection.



Bonding.

Heading back.

Fishermen of the scientific tourism team - leading well!

Sunset

on #3!  3 - 2 - 1 (oops!)

on #3!: 1 -2 - 3!

One more time!





Austin group!

Day 9: Sting Ray Research, Parrot Counting and Sea Turtle Nesting

Today the group was at El Jobo beach by 9 am for sting ray capture, tagging (if big enough), tissue sampling, species ID, mass and measurements. El Jobo is a gorgeous beach that all loved snorkeling and seeing the surprisingly beautiful Halleri and Chilensis rays.


The group spotted 9 parrots travelling from their feeding grounds to their nesting sites. Word on the street is they have skirted the valley we watched from for a different route - so future parrot counting may be from Manzanillo beach.

At night we went to see Danielson at one secluded beach across from Nicaragua and the more developed beach of El Jobo to see the importance of international cooperation and development on Integrated Marine Resource Management.























Monday, July 22, 2019

Day 8: Final Presentations in Monteverde & Travel to Home-stay in El Jobo

Another group saw this guy watching them horseback... I can't decide... was it better it wasn't us?

After presentations in Monteverde!

Tallest duo en el mundo!

On the road again...heading to El Jobo







Day 10: Turtle capture and release: Matapalito Bay, North Shore of Santa Rosa National Park

This first picture shows why we were up early to travel across the bay to the sea turtle haven on the north side of Santa Rosa National Par...