WOW! Left Cove Harbor this morning aboard TAMUCCs Wetlands Explorer headed for the Estes Research Station on Talley Island with Capt. Jay Tarkington. At the station we went through why our area of the Texas Coast is so different that the upper coast and which states and countries have an effect on the Gulf of Mexico. Capt. Jay then showed us his collection of interesting things found on the island that were identifiable from those states and countries. We talked about how to safely explore the beaches by avoiding habitat where thins that will bite or poke you live. Then we took off looking for our own specimens. We learned about Fiddler Crabs and how they use their claws. Further up the beach we found all kinds of neat things while the campers played stump Capt. Jay with unique stuff they found. After more shoreline exploring and gathering of hermit crabs we went the camp fire where our Camp Ranger, Michael Canterbury, made perfectly cooked hot dogs. I feared mutiny when I realized the ketchup had not made the trip! But alas, they were so hungry it was accepted without bloodshed. After lunch the kids decided to rake out hermit crab race tracks and put on the Aransas Hermit Crab Championships. Nobody won but a lot of race theory was discussed and some were declared crowd favorites. Back to the Explorer and Captain Jay took mud samples and taught us about the many different strange worms that live in the stinky marsh mud. Then they seined up some shrimp. fish, and other sushi like critters before we headed back to Cove Harbor. Special thanks to Capt. Jay and TAMUCC! Kayaks, paddleboards, sandcastles, and other beach fun tomorrow! Remember; south end of Little Bay by the ACND Festival Grounds at 9AM! Keep Exploring! Capt. Tommy
Posted on: Thu, 12 Jun 2014 23:12:09 +0000
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