The final post from Panama 2017

This is the third time that we have taught the “OIMB goes to Panama” course and, like the other two, it has been a wonderful experience.  The Smithsonian’s Bocas del Toro Research Station (STRI) is a great place to run a field course.  We are grateful to them for hosting us for our two week adventure.

We have our own teaching lab with well-stocked equipment. 

  The lab has a variety of boats that get us quickly to field sites.

The student dorm and dining hall

 Students live in shared dorms and eat meals in the adjacent dining room. 

Meals ae prepared by the cook, Desuze, and his helper, Cholla. We have eaten well with a good variety of fruits, vegetables, fish and chicken enhanced by home-made hot sauce, and delicious homemade desserts. 

 The STRI staff are most helpful with advice and dealing with details, especially those that need a good Spanish vocabulary.  We especially thank Plinio, Urania, Deyvus, Arcadio, and Cynthia for their assistance in making the course run so smoothly.  

  

The past two weeks have been a lovely opportunity to immerse myself in Panama’s natural history.  We spent most of our time exploring the ocean but an added benefit to living at STRI is being surrounded by the diverse terrestrial habitats of the lab grounds.  During our daily routine we have watched howler monkeys eat leaves and fruits in the trees next to the dining hall.  Two toed sloths have moved slowly through the adjacent trees.  A caiman, scores of river turtles, jacanas and herons live in the pond that surrounds our teaching lab.  I have watched a pair of bananaquits  build a nest in the potted Fiscus tree on the porch. 

 

Last night students presented the results of their projects; today they are finalizing their research posters.  Richard is taking the last observations from his daily plankton tows and we are cleaning and emptying the lab of our gear.  Some will go home with us but some will stay here in Panama for students to use in the 2019 course.  It is with mixed feelings that I write that, as I will not be returning with them.  This is my last time to be part of this great OIMB adventure to the tropics.  It has been a pleasure and a joy to share the past two weeks with Richard and the students, Christina, Ellie, Emily, Erin, Haley Mack, MacKenna, and Molly. They are a great group and I wish them all well.  Maya Watts will add her expertise to the course in 2019 so I leave with the knowledge that she and Richard will continue to bring students to Panama to explore this special place.

Richard in his element

Emily and Ellie

MacKenna

Molly and Erin

Mack, Haley and Christina

Adios STRI and Panama.  OIMB Will Go to Panama Again in 2019.
Jan Hodder