Clearwater
On the somewhat sunny day of September 30, the temperature on our kayak trip at Cooper's Bayou was staying steady somewhere in the high 80s. Once everyone had launched their kayak/canoe, we ventured out on the calm waters of the bayou.
First we traveled along the shore on the left side, where many red mangroves lined the bank. As we passed the mangroves, we learned the difference between them and why they are important. The red mangrove has cigar looking prop roots and dark green leaves that are waxy. They are the only mangroves to have propagules, also known as live young. The long seeds can live up to a year floating around to find a place to take root. Next wtas the tallest of all mangroves, the black mangrove. The leaves are green and round with a white underside, which is because of tiny tricomes.
The roots of the black mangrove emerge from the soil pointy and finger-like. And lastly are the white mangroves, which has bright green leaves and bean-like seeds. Mangroves are important because they help protect coastlines, help stop erosion and are home to nurseries for the ecosystem.
Once back on shore, we had to play catch-up on our notes. It had been very difficult and annoying to take dry notes while trying to keep the kayak from hitting others or drifting away and trying to hear the professor, who's voice was being drowned out by many of the planes that flew above us. But overall it was a fun day.
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