"the operculum"

The trip was a super time! I really enjoyed taking part in the biological assessments that CEDO would do to keep track of and protect the organisms there. We used a hula hoop to estimate the living things in places along a tape measure from the bottom of low tide all the way to the beach. By logging point estimates over time, researchers can intirperate the long term outlook of the different phylums and classes living in the intertidal zone of Puerto Penasco. We found sargasm, hermit crabs, snails and every once in a while even an octopus would show up if you were looking hard enough. This marine biology class in conjunction with CEDO did an excellent job of teaching the fundamentals of how to think critically when working in the field. I highly recommend it to anyone who thinks they would be interested in learning more about the oceans and how to protect them for generations to come. 

Andrew Smith 

Bird Island Scuba Diving-Blog Post 2

I am a certified open diver but, I have been diving well before I got certified in 2009. Bird island was my first time diving in waters cold enough to require a 7mm suit. I was the most excited and giddy twenty-eight year old. We stopped by the suit rental in town before heading to the port. We boarded our vessel and were on our way to Bird Island, a little over two hours away.

The first dive lasted about thirty minutes. My buddy was Andrew. We made a great team! The sea lions encircled us in playful underwater movements. I would compare them to dogs. I must admit initially I was startled when they would unexpectedly wiz by. I quickly got over my fear because it was clear they were just as curious as I was. 

I was honored by Dr. Bennette and Angie as my dive buddies round two. The echinoderms we spotted got increasingly larger and more colorful. The fish swirled by in small schools. The sea lions continued to play jovially near our vicinity.

I was extremely happy to make new underwater friends. 

The dives didn't last as long as I would have liked due to low visibility but this provided an opportunity for me to steer the boat, captain style!

Dorothy, Were Not in Mexico Anymore

So as it seems, I am sure we are all home now and looking through our photos and already reminiscing of all the fun we had.  I cannot believe a week passed by so fast!  I meant to make this post yesterday but sometimes you simply have to immerse yourself in the once in a lifetime experience!  Yesterday was crazy, and that may be an understatement for many of us.

We started the morning with the Least Tern Census count, and I absolutely loved it!  We were able to split into small groups and interact directly with researchers who do the census counts daily.  It was exciting seeing the eggs, scary knowing that the male birds could dive bomb you any second if you got to close, and sad to hear the stories of tagging them with flags and the coyotes eating them.  At the end of the day, it is nature, and it happens.  I could not believe the Wilson's Plover does a dance to distract others from the nest while leading them in the opposite direction of his prized babies.  It just is remarkable how animals develop quirks to protect themselves and their young.

After the census, it was time to get down to the first word of our trip, the s-t-u-d-y in study abroad.  We spent time studying for our finals and working on our group presentations.  Everything went amazingly, and I cannot believe the class and trip are both over!  Presentations seemed daunting but it was a great opportunity to learn about the individual phyla since we just learned general info.  We relaxed after the real work by hanging out by the beach and jumping waves.

The day finally came to a close after authentic Mexican food, a birthday celebration, smokes and a bonfire, pre-cleaning, and finally falling asleep under the stars.  The last part was coincidentally as someone pointed out, the same way we started the first night except less noise.  We had developed so many friendships we fell asleep under the stars chatting for awhile before finally giving into sleep from the hectic schedule.  I cannot believe we are all most likely home, and the trip is over.  It was an amazing opportunity and I thank you all for the memories! 

-Angelica Deliz

Arizona, here we come!

This morning was officially the last day in Mexico. :( Waking up on the dock overseeing the beach, I started to remember all the adventures we had and all the great memories during this trip. I was so blessed to have traveled abroad with these amazing students & professors. I have learned a numerous amount of things during this trip and wouldn't trade it for anything! 

Thank you everyone for being so awesome & now I have many stories to tell all my friends & family back home. Now let's go back to the AZ heat! Whoo hooo :)

Kristy Lopez 

Last full day here in Mexico :(

After a long morning filled with presentations and a quiz, us students were cherishing our last hours here in Puerto Pinasco. Ending the day by placing our bags, having some fun in the sun and a bonfire with s'mores. Can't get any better than that! 

Kristy Lopez 

A video from the estuary

Mexican American Blog post 1

​A twice conquered nation Mexico has always felt so far yet so close to home. My childhood memories are of dirt roads and inexpensive fireworks, followed by a Gansito (mexican pastry). I have spent nearly a week in Puerto Penasco and can vouch that they are all still here. Immersing myself in foreign culture was not as seamless as I had assumed it would be. Technological glitches, email being hacked, inability to call "home", multiple issues with currency, but what is home? What are these "problems", that consumed me momentarily? They are nothing in comparison to the plight of most Mexicans.

I didn't care it was past midnight as I discussed The American Dream with a CEDO anthropologist. Her wide eyes and intelligent inquiries only reaffirmed that this place burns with hope.

And when I say "Mexicans" I am not referring to the homo-sapiens that walk along the land and glide the ocean in their boats, no. I also refer to the Least tern, blue crab and tropical bird. La Vaquita escondida de ti y de mi, quisas nunca la volveremos ver? It is there home and they too are to be respected, taken in to consideration, on their terms or lost forever. 

This trip has awoken the little girl within me that moves her feet along the ground in a rhythmic pattern perhaps subconsciously crying for rain to come. The hot sun doesn't break me. My culture is to be respected and as I learn more I fall deeper in love with the gift I have been blessed with! The gift God has given me, penetrating to the roots.
​I am a Mexican American, a small piece of my heart will remain...until my return.