Analyzing data is one of my favorite parts of the process because I love seeing everything come together. Knowing that so many people have spent their time and effort working on our common goal feels so special, and motivates me to do my best in my own part of the process.
This work is difficult because the stars really have to align. We have to be in the right place, at the right time, with the right equipment. I don’t know now what we are going to find by the end of this project. Are the mantas residents, or do they come and go? Do they show up in conjunction with the phase of the moon? What kind of currents do they like the best? How many of the same mantas come to Manta Valley, year after year, to float around the seamounts and socialize and chow down on plankton? I hope we’ll know more about the mantas soon, and in the meanwhile, I’m always enjoying the time I get to spend in the presence of their magic and mystery.
