 Experience Forfar Field Station on Andros Island in the Bahamas as you read the "blogs" of our students as they learn to live. This quarter-long adventure centers around sustaining an eco-friendly environment.
Jamie Spray
February 25, 2006
I'm loving the Bahamas. We had our sailing trip last week with Captain Kate and first-mate Kayak Bob. It was a blast! I learned to sail, did some excellent navigating and even learned problem-solving techniques when we ran aground in a really tight
spot (adventure sailing, we did!) I also snorkeled a lot, saw 2 reef
sharks and some nurse sharks, as well as bunches of new fish that I
i.d.ed for my personal fish list.
I can't wait to go sailing more in
life, but not yet. Actually, when I got back, I found a message waiting
for me that I got my first-choice internship that I had my interview for
a couple weeks ago. Yeah! So, as a result I will be switching my
schooling around a bit. It starts in April, and goes through October.
I
will be returning to Hocking either next winter quarter (unless I go to
Peru or Tanzania or someplace like that) to finish my ECO degree, and
possibly a degree in Natural and Historical Interpretation.
That’s
exactly what the internship is, and I have a huge interest in it,
obviously, so I think I should go for both degrees (half done already).
Also, I did just successfully search jobs, applied to many, landed I believe 5 emails so far regarding interviews, and also just got
my number 1 choice. Enjoy the rest of your winter
quarter. See you soon! Peace!
Kyle O’Keefe
February 16, 2006
Sorry I have not written you yet. I guess you could say my mind is in other places. I am sure you will be glad to know that every thing is going great down here and I have been enjoying myself. Everyone down here was sad to here that you would not be able to come down visit while we are here. Currently we are finishing up our advanced diver and it has been very interesting.
Next week we begin kayaking and fly fishing I believe. The best part so far for me has been the chance to get away from all the hustle and bustle of the American lifestyle and be able to sit read learn and relax. I think by the time we come back I will have accomplished a satisfactory state of mind. Other than that how are things back in the home land? I hear that you have a large number of students. It seems like the numbers will continue to keep growing at this rate. Well I am just about to go diving but I will continue to keep emailing you. Take care...
Todd Davis
February 16, 2006
Hello, everything is going great here on Andros. We started cultural class this week and are also learning to bonefish and kayak. We are getting ready for our sailing adventure in the next few weeks. Everyone seems to be having a good time.
Brett Phillips
February 5, 2006
Since my plane landed on Jan 6 I have been living an adventure absorb in the land and way of life of the native Bahamians. This Island is a 3rd world country whose people are pure as gold but don't have all the living conditions America has. All the locals in the area surrounding Forfar are related by family of friendship so you wave to everyone who passes on the street and if you need a ride while your walk the street you put your hand up. The locals understand why we Ohioans are here, to become educated to the eco-systems to conserve the lands resources. This land is made up of algae broken down to calcium carbonate then after years of pressure limestone forms. The plant species here will leave you in astonishment, wondering how the plant used the colors of the rainbow is an intricate design. The coral reef is an underwater city to hundreds of fish, sponges, shrimp, squid, sting rays, all forms of coral reef with Atlantis looking designs. All these living species have the brightest colors that leave my expression in awe as you fly over, through, and with the vibrant colors that are arranged mathematically astonishing designs.
Places I have gone to study Subtropical ecological, Geology, Ornithology, and Field Station Management
Atella Coppice is in a forest with a climax of plant species. The soil is enriched with nutrients from organic matter in banana holes. This is places plant species leave you in wonder on how they grow in their design and color. Atella is a species of butterfly and once you come to a clearing where the sun radiates down a bunch of butterflies are flying around in a wind dance interacting with one another.
Jungle pond is where we look for marsh birds and other subtropical ecology species. at jungle pond there is a 150 ft diameter hole that is filled with fresh rain water these are called blue holes, The whole class went swimming in the freshwater. The blue is Andros the water supply for Andros Island so we were swimming in the island drinking water.
Owens Town is an old Bahamian town that used to have a pine industry there. Nothing is sill standing but there are fruited trees and three different types of habitats Marine time, grassland and Pine forests. This allows for a variety of bird species to leave in one general area. We woke up as the sun was rising over the horizon of the ocean to see these birds. We take 10 passenger vans everywhere we go on the island to see all different habitats, local businesses, power plants, and historic areas.
Charlie's blue is a small lagoon type area with three places for the whole class and staff to jump in.
Mrs. Flower is head cook at Forfar and she leaves a couple minutes down the road. She has nice size protect with land where she grows, Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon, Coconut Palm trees. Pigeon Pea plants, thyme, cabbage, onions, sweet and hot peppers, watermelon and hibiscus. She showed us around her land and explained how they grow.
Creek Snorkel is the first time we got to see the aquatic life. We jump off a 15 foot bridge into a slow current, put over mask and fins on and we follow the current along the Red mangroves. The red mangroves provide structure, nutrients, shelter, nurses and formation form the aquatic life. Their roots are caverns for all types of amazing fish. Get this picture. You fly over top of organized eco system where words are washed away by the water, allowing you eyes to have the time of their life. I swear into the land to protect all its life and 2 minutes later a full sized dolphin swims past me stopping my pulse, my breath, my whole idea of conciseness and begin to interact with the dolphin the dominant species of the lagoon
A group leaves the base and heads out to the ocean on an eighteen passenger dual engine fishing boat. Sitting in the boat with your crew and gazing at the vast diversity of life thought out the Atlantic Ocean through out Andros Island. I'm Opening my mind to the life in the coral reef while scuba diving.
Each person in the group has their own tone, rhythm and personality. We are all instruments harmonizing to the melody of education and dancing together. The tribe to people that I live with through sun and moon have been a blessing. All have songs of many talents, and interesting experiences to lean back and listen to. I have been keeping my self balance by yoga, mediation, running, push ups and expression through music.
We just finished up our marine ecology exam it covered inverabrate, fish and habitats. I have been enjoying studying and absorbing the terms, ideas and concepts that are raining down on me.
We just started windsurfing and it is amazing to be able to fly over the water with the spirit of the wind.
I thank you with respect, light and good fortune through out your sun to moon days.
Jamie Spray
February 2, 2006
I am having a blast in the Bahamas. I am assisting with the diving courses, which has been good for both me and the instructors.
I've gotten a lot of experience helping with a few who were having ear problems, as well as helped teach skills and navigation. I also really enjoyed subtropical ecology, seeing all the many biomes that overlap on the island. Windsurfing is a blast, I got blown out quite a ways, and thanks to the current, had to walk the boat back in. Looking forward to the sailing trip a lot, hear it is a lot of fun.
Jocelyn Wolfe
January 26, 2006
Well, this journey for me so far has been one full of personal revelations, new adventures and exciting challenges. I awake in the mornings and retreat to my own personal spot a 10 minute jog down the beach to meditate, reflect, be thankful, and practice some yoga with the sunrise shining upon me to get in tune before the day begins with the sound of the conch shell blowing. I truly love it here, I feel the environment is really compatible with my energy and I am comfortable and at peace.
The food is healthy and I feel there is always enough variety to appease my vegetarian lifestyle, so no complaints there. I love not having a cell phone to answer to, people to have to visit or various other stressful activates to perform. It's nice to have a laid back feel to school while still learning so much.
The information we learn is exciting and can be applied while we are diving/snorkeling or hiking. I am doing what I've always wanted to do, starting down a path in my life that has been dreamt about since I was little. I've found something I'm passionate about and want to further in my future. The climate suits me much better than the snows and cold of winter up north, and I feel a calling to be living/working in an environment like this. Swimming with a dolphin, spotted eagle rays, the amazing fish and corals are awesome, and being able to explore and breathe in the underwater world is absolutely invigorating! Living in a non-tourist prime spot is nice because it allows us to have a more personal relationship with the locals and the culture here. I really have nothing negative to say about the program or what we are doing--I am happy and so fortunate to be here and that this opportunity is available through Hocking.
Well, this is all for now--Peace and love!
Lindsay, Brett, Todd, and Ben
January 20, 2006
Well this e-mail is from Lindsay, Todd, Ben, and Brett since we thought this it would just be easier this way. Well, so much has happened! We've been scuba diving only in confined water this far but we get to finally go out into the sea on Monday... hopefully. We've been learning ornithology - we had a quiz yesterday and we all did great - and geology - Doc was down here and that man is just fascinating and can teach us so much stuff and we had a blue hole lecture for geology yesterday - and botany - we've been learning some really cool plants and trees and we have a quiz at 4.
We had Field Station Operation and unfortunately it had to be cut short the last day of it and we can't really say that we got a ton out of it besides the importance of location. Today we started our Fish lessons and this afternoon we have inverts. We went snorkeling for the fish class and we saw some great stuff and our friend the dolphin came back to visit us.
In our spare time, we've gone swimming - which is where we first met the dolphin -, we've gone jumping off the bridge to go snorkeling, we've played games, we've gone hitch hiking to Fresh Creek (too bad no one told us that everything was closed on Sundays before we went out there... only Lindsay, Phil, and Lauren went that day though and we learned our lesson... still a good day though!), we've gone swimming in blue holes, we've gone out a couple of nights... you know the usual stuff that we do every January!! HaHa. We're all really glad that we came down here in the winter and we really like the group of people that came down here... we have a great crew!! Things are awesome here, it's too bad that you couldn't come down for a week while we're here too.
Brett Phillips
January 17, 2006
We are currently studying ecology and ornithology. We load up in the vans and hit the road to Jungle Pond and Antella forest where we learn about different plant species on the ground vines, shrubs, plants the grow out in the sea called (Mangroves) and cactus like plants that grow on trees with aerial roots (epidermis).
Butterflies, birds insects, are all different with different shades on the rainbow in each. Every living organism in this eco-system has to adapt (live with) no soil, lots of sun, figure out ways to filter salt from the water so the plants can get their h2o. I'm harmonizing with amazing women and males in the group, in the city of Andros, and in Forfar field station. Getting to know the local culture and forming relation with them by dancing and talking I feel Jesus through them. I’m going to be writing more soon. Much emotion goes out to everyone who shined their light to me. I’m shining right back all the way from the equator
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