9/19/2015
Chris Williams

Fred Howard Park

We visited Fred Howard park to study aquatic life. It was 82 degrees outside with 90% cloud coverage, the water temperature was 80 degrees which felt awesome. We began our study by using a seine net to collect as much sea life as possible by stretching the net out while one end works its way around in a large circle. We caught a crab and several small fish.

 After using the net and learning about different types of sea grass we started snorkeling. I found a crock laying in a bed of sea grass it had some kind of worm living on it that had many small shells stuck to it. I observed many different types of fish most of them were eating the seaweed beds which proves how important they are to the ecosystem. I spotted a large spotted trout patrolling the grass beds for smaller fish, when the smaller fish spotted him they used the grass as shelter. We found a few clams that were laying on the bottom filter feeding with their eyes out, i have never seen that before in person. During our exploration we found a horseshoe crab which did not appreciate being lifted above water, he expressed that by slapping his spiky tail up and down. 

In conclusion I learned how fascinating and diverse the coastal ecosystem are and how much I have been miss out by not snorkeling and exploring them more often.  That was truly a perfect day for the beach just the right amount of sun not to hot or cold. I am looking forward to our next ocean visit.