Fred Howard

Fred Howard Park
1700 Sunset Dr, Tarpon Springs
9/17/15
Weather was mild, 100% overcast with a strong breeze.
 
Using the siene net, our class gathered a sample of specimen from the water at Fred Howard. The siene net works by having one side of the net weighted and the other buoyed, in order to gather organisms from the water, then encircling them in order to take note. Our most notable catches were a few silver fish, a fiddler crab, and plenty of sea grass. After releasing our sample, we tested the water for salinity and pH. The salinity was an ideal 35. However, the pH was a 6, proving that the park's waters are more acidic than is typical or preferred. The professor also discussed with us how the green and pink tints in the sand were cyanobacteria, and that sea foam is composed of lipids and fats released from marine organisms.

While snorkeling, I discovered that the water was quite turbid (although our small army of finned, masked scientists probably had something to do with that). Residing closer to the shore was manatee grass, while turtle grass was predominant the further out we went. I spotted schools of silvery fish and was lucky enough to see multiple purple sponges. When we came to shore, I held and observed a beautiful blue-eyed scallop.

Fred Howard was a great experience (minus the fearsome little ants), and definitely a memorable field study!

Species Spotted:
Turtle grass
Manatee grass
Shoal grass
Cabbage palm
Beggar tick's
Black eyed Susan's
Fiddler crabs
Scallops
White mangrove seedlings