Doce

,(L to R) Susan, Benjamíncito, Charlie, Dr. Chazdon, Amanda

What a weekend. Feels really odd to be leaving La Selva tomorrow morning; I’ve been so in the groove here for so long that the day I leave was never realized until now. Been working on some lists lately. A few of the highlights are things to bring to La Selva next summer, things to do at home, and research things to do with my data.

As with my time at La Selva, the blog is probably drawing to a close here pretty soon, it’s been quite an experience and one I hope everyone enjoyed, especially through all the repetitive days of fieldwork, showers and coffee breaks. Glad that this entry is bound to be full of good experiences and stories; sure is shaping up to be a long one.

Saturday morning I was up early and very jumpy to be setting out on my final (!) day of work. Breakfasted (wow, a real word) quickly and biked all the way out to LEP Primary. A bike ride I’m sure to miss out through the tree plantation. Lots of big open areas and clearings that give way to beautiful vistas of the forest and the sky.

Dr. Chazdon & Charlie were out in the plot early working on Charlie’s bird presence/absence project taking recordings and spotting birds. I still don’t understand why people tend to have a fascination with birds, and especially tropical birds. For one, they’re (birders) always super-excited to see super-rare birds and often dread seeing the same birds all the time. From an ecological standpoint, I’d be more interested in studying/seeing the really common birds. They have the biology that enables them to be a dominant species in an ecosystem that supports high levels of diversity. Whatever…

Had sixteen trees to look at out in this plot. Got them finished up in a little over an hour; Dr. Chazdon gave me a hand with the last four once they finished bird recordings. Hiked out with them to the bikes and biked myself back down to STR 3800 to meet Amanda & Debra for some more of the same out there. Waited until 10:20am (planned time=10:00am) before heading into the plot by myself.

A few minutes after getting started, Amanda showed up and sped up the process a ton. A little later Debra joined us and data collection was going along at a breakneck pace. I had as many trees to do in this plot as the other two combined so having some help was golden. Two people continuously searching and me running around with the tape and compass was awesome.

Took the last data point of my 2007 Summer at 12:30pm. Amanda was there for my first field day (you can probably revisit that in the blog, if you so choose) and my last and also wrote my first and last data points. SuperChops from now on. Spent my afternoon drinking coffee and being tired and achy from pushing myself out there for four straight days.

Dr. Chazdon took us all out to dinner (Susan, Amanda, Debra, Charlie, Me) at Rana Roja, a Mexican-y place 11km up the road. We all rode in the Rav4 Dr. Chazdon rented for her trip. Had patacones (I’m dying to make some at home) and a great chicken burrito. Enjoyed brownies and coffee afterwards. Great dinner, good time.

Amanda (disappointed): Agh, too well-signed...

Up this morning to get stuff ready to go. We had over easy eggs for breakfast and a good cake to accompany it. Started cleaning the cabina and office and doing some laundry. Washed my hat and backpack so they no longer smell as they did. Cleaned all the equipment I used from the project and returned it all. Had a great lunch; Dr. Chazdon was very shutter-happy so we have some choice photography from the last couple days.

After lunch, I paid my bill for the five days in August and didn’t do too much in the way of packing. Took a later trip across with Choppers. Gift-shopped for a few and bought an Mmmmio ice cream. Had tons of extra postcard stamps so gave them all way except three which I used to send a couple more cards. Amanda, Debra, Dr. Chazdon, & Charlie are all out batting at Lindero Sur tonight.

Remember that one time when my boots were stolen and I had to special order a new pair for $15 in town? Ever since then I’ve periodically checked all the boot racks just hoping they would return. After returning from my afternoon gift shop adventure, I decided to just take one more shot at it. Sure enough there they were; after being gone for a whole month, they just mysteriously reappear on my last day here. Weird, but quite relieving (now I just need more space to pack them!).

Still have to actually pack tonight. Riding in style to the city tomorrow with Dr. Chazdon in the Rav4. Free transportation to the station, free transportation on my way out, awesome (plus it totally justifies changing my flight). Ah, life is good. Time to pack! 8/7/07;11:49pm; Flight 1424 from Atlanta to Hartford!

BP