10/3-10/9

This was a bittersweet week for HAPO research. We had a meeting with Marc from 1:30-2:30pm on Monday 10/3 discussing the HAPO survey draft Serena and I made, AMSS abstract outline, and plans for our weekly boat trip to Halibut Cove Lagoon. Serena and I made a first draft for HAPO surveys and then a second draft after the meeting with Marc. On Monday 10/3 I did data entry for each of the different measurements on the Stejneger's beaked whale flipper bones. On Tuesday 10/4 I worked with Jordan to create a lifesize "bend-a-whale" for skeletal articulation class. Tuesday was also the last day of scientific illustration, so I drew a rose hip.

On Wednesday 10/5 from 10:00am-3:00pm we went on our possibly last HAPO survey. It the last survey for Marc, but we had an incredible day in Halibut Cove Lagoon. The Harbor porpoises were playful, curious, and came right next to the boat (could have done without the bugs though). After the surey, we went out to dinner with Kris Holderied, a NOAA officer, and she was incredibly kind.

On Thursday 10/6 I presented my current event on the sperm whale stranding in Australia. On Friday 10/7, we did a necropsy on a dead Sea otter. It was really fascinating, and I learned a lot about necropsy work, anatomy, human interactions with marine mammals, and diseases. On Sunday 10/9 I went on a Coastline Clean-Up walk at Bishop's beach from 11-12:30. It was really fun, but we saw hundreds of rusty nails which was upsetting, and the winds picked up creating a sand storm and massive 5-6 foot waves. Serena and I also finished the second draft of the HAPO survey log on Sunday.