Module 4 (Sept. 27 - Oct. 3)

Tuesday, 28 September

Journal Entry 12

Module 4

This field trip was really interesting because I have never actually stopped and attempted the experience of taking a deeper look into one of the many wooded areas that surround our entire campus. I’m so used to just driving by them almost every day that it was cool to try and figure out the different species of plants.

I was able to identify these tree species, which I took pictures of with my camera during my forest field trip, and compared them to the photos and descriptions in the Audubon book:



Cabbage Palmetto




Slash Pine


 

Loblolly Bay

 

Long Leaf Pine




Saw Palmetto



I was able to identify five non-woody plants, but could only get a picture of one (the Sea Oats) because my camera died!

Other non-woody plants I saw were Spanish Moss, White Bushy Aster, Water

Hemlock, and Floating Hearts

Sea Oats



Thursday, 30 September

Journal Entry 13

Module 4

In the readings for this module, I found David Orr’s article on Ecological Literacy (pg. 106-110) very interesting. He says that we think that education is only something that can be done indoors. I agree with what he says about this because people automatically relate learning to something done in a classroom where you learn facts and take tests. Of course, we all know that we learn new things every day regardless of being in a classroom or not, but I think that Orr is referring more towards the aspect of learning about the environment. I agree with him that the chances we get to actually experience nature are dwindling because of the construct of many environments today which include more buildings than trees sometimes. That’s what leads people to be somewhat uneducated or uncompassionate about many environmental issues. 

Saturday, 2 October

Journal Entry 14

Module 4

The bird species on campus were difficult to identify because I really could only spot a couple (such as the White Ibis) and couldn’t get a close enough view of them to get an accurate identification. Instead, I identified five bird species that I saw on Lover’s Key yesterday and was able to take some really good pictures of them! It was so amazing to see all these different species of birds that were around me and so close to me. The Brown Pelican was diving into the water and his wing span was so big. The Snowy Egret would just stand in one position for the longest time, it was pretty windy out and he seemed to enjoy the wind blowing through his feathers which moved so elegantly with the wind! It was such a great experience to take the time to actually investigate and analyze these interesting creatures and their behaviors.



Laughing Gull




Snowy Egret



White Ibis



Great White Heron Race



Brown Pelican