By Kika Dunayevich, and Gray Rager
This morning, we woke up bright and early in preparation to leave for Orcas island. Everyone was thrilled at the opportunity to explore more of the Salish Sea archipelago, but our departure was hectic as we scrambled to eat breakfast and pack for the day. Last night’s volleyball game had left some among our group a little weary and worn-out, resulting in our sluggish start to the day. We meandered into town and boarded the ferry, arriving in the bohemian port town perched upon Orcas Island. We needed to wait for the low tide so to bide time we toured the surrounding area. Exploring a grocery co-op, a quaint bookstore populated with gentle village seniors, a local print shop, and an Italian-style bakery serving freshly baked loaves of bread and an assortment of pastries.
From the Darvill’s bookstore we headed to Crescent Beach to start our sea star survey. We moved along the beach together looking for sea stars, measuring all Pisasters we could find. After about an hour of measuring sea stars we started our walk back and met a man working an oyster farm. We had a lengthy conversation about oyster farming, and the heat wave and its effects on the oyster crop. We headed back to the van knowing a little more about oysters (try Judd Cove oysters).
A Pisaster sea star at Crescent beach (photo by Maddy Glaser).
Before departing for Mount Constitution, we had a lovely discussion with Dr. Joe Gaydos, the author of The Salish Sea: Jewel of the Pacific Northwest and a Senior Wildlife Veterinarian and the Science Director of the Seadoc society. He explained the importance of outreach, activism, and communication in the field of ecology and conservation, and prompted us to think critically about our strategies for influencing politicians and corporate leaders to protect this critical ecosystem. He proceeded to sign our copies of his book, and we thanked him for his contribution to the Salish Sea ecosystem and its diverse and magnificent flora and fauna.
Kika and Jacob explore a squid egg sack on the beach (photo by Sara Sarmiento Ruiz).
We proceeded to hike up Mount Constitution, trekking around the aquamarine mountain lake glimmering with sunbeams and teeming with toddlers. We marched up the dust-strewn trail, wandering into the dense woods populated with young Douglas fir and nitrogen-fixing blankets of moss. Brimming with energy and naïve self-confidence, we hiked for a total of two hours and ascended over 2,000 feet of craggy mountain trails, gradually wearing out our strained muscles. We rapidly became separated, panting heavily and coated with sweat – Gray, Joey, and Jacob had the GALL to race up the mountaintop, leaving the stragglers in the dust. Thankfully, after the many winding detours of the trail, we crested the mountain and were rewarded with a staggering view of the San Juan Islands. Crystal clear waters stretched out for kilometers in all directions, emerald forested islands perched on the plane of azure like the toes of an immense giant.
Jacob and Joey in the old wood box at the top of mount Constitution (photo by Gray Rager).
We returned, exhausted and sweaty, to the dorm room after a brief respite from activity following lunch. We relaxed in our dorms and concluded the day with a meal of tex-mex tacos, guacamole (salad?), salsa, and assorted toppings.
That concludes our fifth day in the Salish Sea Sciences program!