Rocks 'n Casserole

We awoke to more rain and an email from El Jefe with the following directions (presumably to bring out the sun): 

Here is what you need to do: Tell [Nicole] to find two medium-sized rocks, get a string and tie them together (leave some string between them); and hang them from one of the trees, outside.

We thought this method worked twice during the day [and drove to the boat twice], but were disappointed repeatedly. To pass the time, Alex made a "delicious" macaroni casserole & Nicole bounced around in a strange way to Primus. What keeps us sane is knowing that tomorrow is another day.

Small Space Madness

Day 13: The rain and thunderstorms never stopped. We have been stuck inside all day. Nicole and Alex giggle often and are speaking words that make little to no sense whatsoever. What they whisper about is anyone's guess. Izzie (the dog downstairs) also barks pretty regularly and children were rough-housing in the rain this morning. Hopefully tomorrow will be better -- but Barometer Bob says "humid and rainy," which does not bode well for us.

Snake Cay Hail Marys

Day 12: After what seemed like a promising start to our day, a large storm moved lightning fast over Snake Cay -- as the rain beat down, Nicole whispered Hail Marys and Alex & Dave thought about how they would never take each other for granted ever again. Ultimately, our decision-making abilities and Alex's boating skills were tested, but we passed with flying colors and earned ourselves gigantic hamburgers. Now it's time to transcribe some videos and cheer for King James as the Cavs try to stave off elimination!

They fish, we lizard

Day 11 was pretty uneventful. Rain sandwiched a sunny afternoon, and we accumulated many more videos. Barbarita continued to burn (even through two shirts) and Alejandro's hands have gone from red to "bubbly" (he needs to be more careful around poison-wood). The fishing tournament hosted by a nearby marina also entered it's second day, allowing us to enjoy the view of 20 boats passing in front of our balcony. 

When the cat is away ...

DAY X: El Jefe left Abaco this morning and took the rain with him. Alex had a full day in the sun --- continuing to film anoles and monitor the temperatures of lizard-models that have been placed on one of the islands [see photo above]; he even had some time to dive into the water and "catch" a sea-star. Nicole spent her first day on the cays and began to learn the ins & outs of observing the beautiful lizards that everyone in the Chipojo Lab has come to love (I think I even heard her say that anoles are cooler than Sceloporus!!). Finally, I must note that we have now collected data on 100 A. sagrei individuals! We will be drinking some Goombay Punch to celebrate tonight ...

Welcome Barbarita

Day 9: Nicole Dautel, joins the Chipojo Team.  Nicole is supported by an NSF REU and will be collecting behavioral and ecological data for both A. sagrei and L. carinatus.  Both Dave (better known as “Chivo”, due to his Cuban heritage, and/or "El Che" like chiva) and Alejandro are becoming quite the experts on A. sagrei and L. carinatus signaling displays.  Their project on thermal biology of A. sagrei is getting off the ground.  In other news, they are quite the experts at maneuvering the boat under low tide conditions.  El Jefe is passing the baton to Chivo, as the official blogger.

 

The legacy is alive

Day 7 & 8: the sun is finally out.  Alejandro began to gather thermal data; his abilities to catch and probe lizards are out of this world.  Also, Tio Paul’s models are having a blast on the cays, thanks Tio.  Boy keeps collecting behavioral data, and is becoming quite an expert at catching anoles, particularly A. distichus.  El Jefe is hard at work, not only he needs to do fieldwork, but he is also in charge of cooking, while other members of the team are taking a well deserve rest.

Cabin Fever

Day 6: cabin fever has arrived. After three days of lousy weather, we are beginning to suffer from cabin fever. In a positive note, Jamie, a supporter of the Chipojo Lab will be turning twenty-one tomorrow. CONGRATS, Jamie.

Lousy weather

Day 5: the lousy weather continues. Boy is suffering from woozy feet, and spent the day scoring videos. It is clear that the anoles are extremely wary of curlies.

CAN YOU BELEIVE IT!!!!!

         Day 4: more lousy weather during the morning, turning sunny in the afternoon. We out to the cays in afternoon; Alex and Dave had no problem maneuvering the boat under extremely calm conditions. Data collection went great, anoles and curlies were having a blast and we were having even more fun videotaping their activity. In other news, Ace keeps having fun, while we are doing fieldwork. CONGRATS!!! Toya from those of us who do work at the Chipojo Lab.

Ohhh Macarena

Day 3: lizards when to bed early, it was raining dogs and cats. Dave and Alex took the opportunity to practice their musical skills, singing La Macarena and dancing the Harlem Shake. They are an amaizing duo.

Abaco 2009

Day two" Dave learned that videotaping lizards is not as easy as a walk in the park. His anguish was agravated by the fact that he didn't use sunscreen yesterday, while collecting ecological data, making his long day even longer.

Abaco 2009

First day of Dave and Alex on Abaco. Both are collecting behavioral and ecological data on A. sagrei and L. carinatus.