One of the most difficult realizations a student in a tropical field course encounters is that data collection presents challenges unlike those seen in a lab. For the bird work, long periods of time are spent hiking to and standing at a single point to identify everything that flies by, all the while trying to ignore the mosquitoes and to watch your feet to make sure ants aren't around. Collecting the habitat and abiotic data requires significant troubleshooting the equipment that is bound to fail at least twice, requiring repeated visits to the same place to collect the exact same data and gaining accuracy each time. The insect data takes getting up close and personal with a group of organisms most people pay good money to avoid and eradicate, and exposing yourself to potential harm from the organisms you are trying hard to admire for their resilience.
On Day 3 of data collection, some of these challenges hit frequently and simultaneously, but the resolve held. Although Nick had some stings, he found himself being congratulated for how strong he was by Carlos, our fellow guide who wields a machete like it is a part of his arm. To be considered strong by a Tico who has faced worse is a high honor. Similarly powerful is Natalia's ability to get out there each and every day and pull on her boots and wade through knee-high brush that she feared five days ago. Aliza is gaining the respect of our guide who has led tours for nearly 20 years, and he's quite proud of the fact that he's helped to cultivate a new and excited birder.
I'm quite proud of these guys, and am keeping an eye on or trying to avoid the stings, scrapes and big setbacks. The students can be very pleased with what they've gotten out of the work, though, and for meeting these challenges head-on.
On Day 3 of data collection, some of these challenges hit frequently and simultaneously, but the resolve held. Although Nick had some stings, he found himself being congratulated for how strong he was by Carlos, our fellow guide who wields a machete like it is a part of his arm. To be considered strong by a Tico who has faced worse is a high honor. Similarly powerful is Natalia's ability to get out there each and every day and pull on her boots and wade through knee-high brush that she feared five days ago. Aliza is gaining the respect of our guide who has led tours for nearly 20 years, and he's quite proud of the fact that he's helped to cultivate a new and excited birder.
I'm quite proud of these guys, and am keeping an eye on or trying to avoid the stings, scrapes and big setbacks. The students can be very pleased with what they've gotten out of the work, though, and for meeting these challenges head-on.
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