I saw this license plate on a car in Key West....hahaha one of the best quotes from "Ghostbusters"
So since I last posted a lot has been going on. Mac and Anke left on Thursday the 2nd, so I spent two rather lonely days at KML. But I was able to keep occupied by going to Key West on Friday with "The Lobster Girls. It was fun; a bit too much bar hopping for me, but nice to get out and about with some interesting people. hahaha I'll definitely have to go back and see what sights are there other than nice bars on Duvall St.....
Down to business: I had several very very frustrating days where nothing seemed to be working. I spent so much time collecting eggs from the Cassiopea I have in raceway tanks here at KML; cleaning the eggs, keeping them in special antibiotic sea water for a good day or two, then transferring them through a mesh filter several times before putting them in a bowl of a special peptide inducer (Z-GPGGPA) with mangrove leaves. (just so you know, these mangrove leaves are collected from the marina water; I have to trudge in stinky egg-smelling muck up to my hips to gather the most degrading leaves possible. Its unbelievable how particular these larvae are about settling on the most rotting leaf!!) Then I wait. About a day or two later I'd see some larvae settling on the leaves! They look circular one day, then tubular with a small opening at the top, then...usually at this point I'd look at them the next morning under the scope and they look this fuzzy, sad disintegrated look. I have gone through literally BILLIONS of larvae. It has been the most defeated feeling to have nothing work. Thank goodness for talking on the phone to family, my friend here with me for support, emailing confidants who know this crazy system, my guitar and chocolate.hahaha Well, I know. This is science. So,it's been a tough few weeks.
But I'm happy to say at least that (knock on wood, and keep those prayers coming!) I've been having some successful experiments lately!! It has definitely lifted my spirits! On top of that, I've found the Cassiopea nesting grounds by the marina! Shelby and I went out the other day and collected 3 jellyfish in buckets with a net. They were literally the size of dinner plates! I was so excited to find them....however, as I spend more and more time with the cassies, I find I am getting more sensitive to their sting. I end the day with a stinging rash, welts and unpleasantness all over, but especially on my arms where I have the most direct contact.
The neat thing about Cassiopea is that they really have their own unique personalities and colors. The 4 big ones I have collected vary in their colors from blueish-purple tentacles to greenish-brown, they are so beautiful. And certain females like me better....the one stings me as soon as I put my hand in the tank! I must confess something really terrible that happened today though....So I have the 4 that I have captured from the marina in a raceway tank. On one end there are water outputs pumping in water from the bay. On the other end is a pipe which drains it, so there is always a change of water in the tank. Its very handy. However, at the bottom is a drain with an opening. I noticed that the jellies kept migrating toward the draining area. I really didn't think much of it until I went out today and noticed there were 3, not 4 jellies...where did the other one go???! That's when I noticed the bits of tentacles and bell floating around the tank, and large parts of jellyfish that didn't quite get sucked down the drain....oh my gosh I felt so bad!!!! The opening is too small to suck down an entire jellyfish, but definitely bits of it..... I made sure I fixed the set-up so I won't lose any more of my study species.
Great news! I am now the proud co-owner of a bike! It has been great to get out at the end of the day just for a quick ride usually to Long Key Bridge and see all the locals fish off the bridge. I will admit, there definitely are some oddballs around here though.... This little license plate I put on the back of the bike. Shelby and I really couldn't resist.
Shelby's project is going really well....the larvae changes were all day tasks of individually picking out the larvae in18 4L containers....glad to say that is has gotten easier now that they've settled! Her set-up outside is also looking quite nice and getting ready. As we like to say: "It's looking very Science-y!"
On the fun side of fieldwork season, Thursday nights have been declared by Shelby and I as "Fancy Dinner Thursday." This week was Shelby's night to cook and we enjoyed an awesome dinner of Mahi mahi in mango salsa, couscous with veggies and a bottle of Cabernet. With a beautiful Keys sunset it was a perfect way to end one of our more stressful and rough days!
Shelby and I have entertained ourselves with hula hoops bought at the local K-Mart....I won't post pictures right now, but I must say, our skills at hoopin' are getting pretty impressive...we're rapidly running out of space on our patio to
perform our awesome tricks. More on this later!
Last night Shelby and I went "out and about" (other than Home Depot and Publix that is) and met old fellow UB Masters student Chris at Boondocks grille and bar! It was a 45min drive to Ramrod Key, but the two of them were game for going per my request as it is the only place in the FL Keys that has a putt-putt! hahaha. The food was great, the company awesome, and the miniature golf a lot of fun after a long week of working! Plus, it's always really nice to hang out with old friends!
Well, that's it for now.....keep thinkin' polyp settling and uptake of symbionts!
Peace out
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