Laval Liberty - Day 1

Today a large group of students from Laval Liberty arrived on the Huntsman campus bright and early after the long bus ride from Quebec.  The weather changed our plans a bit and we all started the day in the labs looking at the local marine invertebrates.  The students got up close and personal with a number of different species, including rock crabs, sponges, whelks, hermit crabs, scale worms, and sea anemones.

After lunch, armed with buckets and shovels, the students trekked to Pottery Creek in search of animals that live in the sediments when the tide goes out.  The students found red-lined worms, bamboo worms, and milky ribbon worms (one was 2 feet long!!).  Some groups also found the blood worm, with its shooting proboscis that has four teeth on the end.  Imagine being warned to be careful because the worms bite!

After getting completely soaked and introduced to the maritime spring the students are currently at the residence drying out and getting some rest to prepare for tomorrow's activities.

Measuring a sea peach.

Bravely picking up a rock crab!

Half of the group in the aquarium lab.

Identifying a blood star using the field guide.

Pottery Creek in the rain.

Looking for life in the sediments.

A blood worm...careful, they bite!