After a couple dry days, all the visitors here (including myself) were beginning to wonder why they call this a "rain" forest. Well, today I got a taste. I awoke to heavy rains at 4 a.m. and then it continued most of the day. Despite making the steep forested slopes extremely slippery, the rain didn't stop us from trekking into the forest to collect more data. Equipped with rain gear and waterproof notebooks, we surveyed an acre of forest. I worked with another teacher on the trip, Ms. Matheson, to determine of how wide the canopy of the largest trees are. This wasn't an easy job since every time we looked up we would get large rain drops in the face. As you could guess, we had fun getting wet and muddy.
Hiking in the forest... ready for the rain!
My muddy boots!
Some snails I encountered during today's trek.
An amazing stick bug that literally fell out of the tree on to my sleeve.
One of my favorite trees, the prickly ash.
Check out those crazy spikes on the bark!
11 comments:
That stick bug is sooooooo cool! I have never seen one before! Was it creepy when it landed on your arm?
So it finally rained, huh? Did you notice any difference in the animals because of the rain (ex. the frogs "sang" more)
Woah!!
those spikes on that tree are amazing!
Do you know what they are used for, if anything?
Can't wait for more info and pictures!!
see you soon!
~Kaileigh:)
I've heard that in some places, the atmosphere smells different (especially in the desert.) Does this happen in the rainforest?
~sophia g
Jessica, the stick bugs (walking sticks) aren't creepy at all. In fact they are very gentle. They rely on being still, so the one that was on my sleeve stayed there until I put it down.
When it rained, the frogs were definitely more active at night. I hope it rains this afternoon so that I will see more frogs during our survey tonight.
Kaileigh, No one here can come up with a good explanation of why the prickly ash has those spikes on its bark, but they sure are cool. The remind me of a spiked dog collar. Can you think of how they could have evolved to be like that?
Mr. L
The prickley ash is SOOO cool! I have never ever ever ever ever ever seen one before! I wonder how the spikes grew onto it! Can't wait to see more pictures and messages! Hope you are having fun!
-> Zelda [ The One And Only ] <-
Mr. Lafond,
What are the spikes on the tree made of? Are you up at night mostly to get your data and collect frogs or during the day? Or both? Have fun!
Hmm... I can't come up with an explanation either! I'll try to do some reasearch or something on that though because I'd love to find out!
~Kaileigh:)
Mr. Lafond,
I really want to know what the spikes on the tree made of?
Thanks!!
:)
~Megan D.
Tree lovers,
Th bark on this prickly ash has some unusual spikes on it. No one here is sure what the evolutionary purpose is. If some finds out please let me know.
It seems like it wouls be a good defense against something large that might eat it... but there is nothing like that here (maybe there was in the distant past?) If this tree were in New England, it wold surely not be a favorite of the beavers!
Sophia, this forest does in deed have a smell. It is hard to explain, but I think my clothes now smell like it... damp and almost moldy! In the forest, there are many many things decomposing and being broken down in a natural recycling process. So, I think the smell of this process is the most powerful.
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