The last trip to Catalina Island...

...for field work!  I spent last weekend (Saturday through Monday) at Catalina for my last weekend of field work. 

Hooray!!

Here are a few photos from my trip.

Tying the sync cord to the leg of the stand, so it doesn't get bashed around when the water comes in.  At high tide, it will be about 5 ft deep where my feet are.

My advisor, Dr. Carlos Robles.

A couple of sea lions (young ones) that we scared while we were working.  Cute little things, but don't mess with them!

These sea lions are sheltering away from some pretty big waves (that we had to brave!) and jumped in the water when the boat went by.

Some of the other wildlife we often see include crows (the smaller birds, wingspan ~3 ft.)  It's the bird of prey that is unusual.  So far, the guesses include an eagle or a young osprey.

These little birds are California quail.  There were several running around near the room where we stayed.

There are lots of beautiful plants, here, too.  This is a closeup of flowers on a lovely tree near the dorms.

Just one of the many kinds of amazing flowers.

And, finally, my buddy Gerry.  He put up with me and my crazy schedule ("Can you get us to Bird Rock and back?  We need to go at 2am and come back at 5am.  Thanks!") for three years.  I sometimes bribed him in brownies or cookies.  He would have taken us anyway.  It's his job, but he always does it with a smile.  

Thanks, Gerry.

(And, yes, he looks a lot like Uncle Mike.  They even have the same voice.  Creepy!)