These seabirds made loud, eerie wailing calls throughout the night, sometimes keeping me awake. It was a little spooky at first, but it was a cool reminder that I was sharing the island with wildlife, even while I was trying to sleep!
Snorkeling, particularly nighttime snorkeling, was my favorite activity this week! I got to float above coral reefs and watch fish dart between the corals. I saw sharks, rays, and sea turtles too.
I read scientific information to help with my coral research project. I learned more about how corals and macroalgae compete for space and how tiny algae living inside corals help them survive. I used what I learned to help make sense of the things I observed on the reef.
Snorkeling and swimming kept me active all week! I also walked across the reef flats during my research, searching for little animals hiding in the shallow water. I also played catch with some of my freinds at the end of the day!
This week taught me that science can be a huge adventure. Instead of just reading about coral reefs in a textbook, I got to swim above one and study it myself. I learned that even tiny organisms can play a big role in keeping an ecosystem healthy.
