Teacher Training Field Reports

L Macias/Tulsa St: : . . . . Fri, Nov 16, 4:15PM PST (-0800 GMT)
Today was a perfect day for a trip to the Huntington. The weather was perfect. We learned how to use our GPS devices. We plotted various points at the entrance (N34.07.644',W118.06.676', el. 728ft), cacti garden (N34.07.558',W118.06.611', el. 594ft), pond (N34.07.524',W118.06.688', el.581ft) Japanese garden (N34.07.562',W118.06.917', el. 598ft), and the Boone Gallery (N34.07.660', W118.06.926', el.658ft.). The terrain varied depending upon what the theme of the garden was...cactus to koi ponds. I enjoyed working with my colleagues, learning about the GPS. I look forward to using this with my students.

DGraver/Tulsa : . . . . Fri, Nov 16, 4:16PM PST (-0800 GMT)
I enjoyed learning how to use the GPS device today at the Huntington Library. We plotted various points at the entrance (N34.07.644',W118.06.676', el. 728ft), cacti garden (N34.07.558',W118.06.611', el. 594ft), pond (N34.07.524',W118.06.688', el.581ft) Japanese garden (N34.07.562',W118.06.917', el. 598ft), and the Boone Gallery (N34.07.660', W118.06.926', el.658ft.). I look forward to teaching my students how to use the GPS device. We are going to start by mapping out areas on the playground. Maybe we'll even get to take a field trip to the Huntington.

Matt Turner/Tulsa: . . . . Fri, Nov 16, 4:17PM PST (-0800 GMT)
Today I went to the Huntington Libray and Gardens to practice using my gps device. It was quite a fun experience routing the path I had taken and then backtracking my way back to the entrance. We plotted various points at the entrance (N34.07.644',W118.06.676', el. 728ft), cacti garden (N34.07.558',W118.06.611', el. 594ft), pond (N34.07.524',W118.06.688', el.581ft) Japanese garden (N34.07.562',W118.06.917', el. 598ft), and the Boone Gallery (N34.07.660', W118.06.926', el.658ft.). The terrain varied depending upon what the theme of the garden was...cactus to koi ponds. I also enjoyed learning how to measure my speed and distance with the gps device. I look forward to using this with my students.

: . . . . Fri, Nov 16, 4:26PM PST (-0800 GMT)

Weisbart@Malabar: . . . . Fri, Nov 16, 4:28PM PST (-0800 GMT)
I went with a group of teachers on Tuesday to visit the Huntington Library. We took this opportunity to use our GPS unit. We learned how we can apply this tool in our classrooms. It was a beautiful place to visit and I hope to take my class one day for a field trip

Your Camp Guides: . . . . Fri, Nov 16, 5:11PM PST (-0800 GMT)
What do Watts Tower, Indian Canyons, the Audubon Society Reserve, Maritime and Natural History Museums, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Clear Creek Preserve, the Huntington Library and Gardens, Lotusland, the Chumash Interpretive Center and the Channel Islands National Park have in common ? ...................... Camp Internet teachers have explored these fascinating places and posted great FIELD REPORTS to share their discoveries. button

Marcy Camp Internet : . . . . Sat, Nov 17, 11:05AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Here are Huntington Field trip Photos - courtesy session trainer Brian Bartlett ... HINT HINT - if you right click on these and open (left click) PROPERTIES, a box will overlay on the screen with a URL to that picture. If you high light the full URL in that box - incl the http://, copy it (EDIT - Copy, or righ click COPY) , and then paste it into the text of your report, it will read as a photo when you post the report in the chat room. Give it a try !!

Marcy ,Camp Internet : . . . . Sat, Nov 17, 11:06AM PST (-0800 GMT)
DESERT Garden ... ....

Marcy ,Camp Internet : . . . . Sat, Nov 17, 11:06AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Japanese garden .... ...

Marcy ,Camp Internet : . . . . Sat, Nov 17, 11:08AM PST (-0800 GMT)
GPS in action ... ...

Marcy ,Camp Internet : . . . . Sat, Nov 17, 11:10AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Campers on Expedition ... ... ...

Marcy ,Camp Internet : . . . . Sat, Nov 17, 11:11AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Rose garden ...

Barbara Heughins: . . . . Sun, Nov 18, 1:50PM PST (-0800 GMT)
Thank You For Filling Out This Form Below is what you submitted to camp@rain.org on Sunday, November 18, 2001 at 13:44:00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- person_name: Barbara Heughins school_name: Van Deene Elementary grade: 4th longitude: N 34*07.550' latitude: W118*06.690' altitude: 302 ft. gpstype: Etrex date: 11/16/01 project: I visited the Huntington Library, botanical gardensand "Land of Golden Dreams" exhibit. I especially enjoyed the cactus garden and the Zen Garden. The quiet and solitude of the Zen garden was very refreshing. At the "Land of Golden Dreams exhibit I was amazed by the large wall size picture of the mountain scene. It was like you were part of the scenery. You wanted to know what at spooked the deer and birds in the near part of the scene. I was amazed that the picture had been painted by an artist while he was in Rome and the picture toured Europe. The picture was painted in the late 1800's and was displayed to show the people of Europe about the beauty of North America. observations: The terran was hilly in most places. We walked down to the cactus garden and then up to the main buildings of the library and the Boone Building. The Japanese Garden was hilly as part of its purpose. cloud_cov: 20 cloud_type: CI wind_vel: .05 wind_vec: 0 - no wind temperature: 76 rainfall_amount: none -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FormMail V1.6 © 1995 -1997 Matt Wright A Free Product of Matt's Script Archive, Inc.

Margarita Banuelos, Assumption School: . . . . Sun, Nov 18, 7:08PM PST (-0800 GMT)
On Friday, November 16, I attended the excursion to the Huntington Library in Pasadena. It was a perfect day to take the walk and to learn how to use the GPS device. We began our tour at N34*07.644', W118*06.675', el. 655ft. Our first stop was at the top of the Desert Garden, the GPS reading there was N34*07.561', W118*06.611, el. 594ft. Our next stop was at the Golden Barrel Cacti at N34*07.561, W118*06.611', el. 594ft. The next stop was at the Koi Pond at N34*07.521', W 118*06.694. We then headed over to the South Pavillioin which is located at N 34*07.506', W118*06.913. Our guide then led us to her final destination at N34*07.565',W 118*06.915', el. 610 ft., the Wisteria Garden. The main library was located at N 34*07.643', W 118*06.933', el. 677ft. The Boone Gallery is located at N34*07.667', W 118*06.928', el. 630ft. It is apparent through these measaurements that the walk and the terrain were widespread, we went through clear paths, down and up some slopes, but the walk was enjoyable because of the beatiful scenery. We were able to enjoy the gardens, the galleries, and our GPS units. I look forward to using the units with my students soon.

: . . . . Sun, Nov 18, 9:06PM PST (-0800 GMT)
An Educational Outing To The Huntington Friday, 11/16/01 Our day started at the classroom of the TLCG offices at 8:00 A.M. After an introduction by Beverly Royster we spent some time refreshing our acquaintancewith the Camp Internet website. We watched a film about the classroom applications of GIS software, the received a briefing of our trip to The Huntington by Brian Bartlett. We arrived and assembled at The Huntington at approximately 10:30 A.M. Just inside, at the our first waypoint (#1), we received an introduction and orientation to The Huntington. We started using the GPS units here, recording our first waypoint coordinates. I was taking photos, and my partner was taking the GPS readings. I will attempt to include the photos in this report. We still need to work on our coordinate data; and if there are any changes, I will change this report. Waypoint #1, just inside the entrance was located at: 34 deg, 07.644 min North latitude, 118 deg, 06.675 min West longitude; elevation 665 ft. We wound down a road next to the palm garden, and stopped at the upper end of the Desert Garden; waypoint #2: 34 deg, 07.620 min North latitude; 118 deg, 06.624 min West longitude. We learned that this is one of the most valued collections of cactus and succulents. We saw Many interesting plants on the journey through the garden. We saw the Golden Barrel Cactus at: 34 deg, 07.561 min North latitude; 118 deg, 06.611 min West longitude. The Koi pond was at Elevation: 596 ft. N 3407.521? W11806.694? The Wisteria Arbor was at elevation: 610 ft. N 3407.565? W11806.915?. It overlooked the Japanese Garden. The Bottom of the Japanese Garden was located at: Elevation: 529 ft. N 3407.666?W11806.933?. The Boone Gallery was at Elevation: 630 ft.N 3407.667? W11806.928? I contained art of the West from the Smithsonian. The Library was at Elevation: 677 ft. N 07.643? W11806.713?. It contained genuine treasures of literacy, which I will describe later. This was a very interesting and inspirational trip. I plan to return. Thank you. Tom Russell Dana Middle School

Tom Russell: . . . . Sun, Nov 18, 9:13PM PST (-0800 GMT)
I was late getting this last report posted to the site. I was unable to get the last of my data ready until late evening, and then experienced difficulty with the data and the process. I would like to finish getting the data and report spruced up to my standards, and resubmit it. Will this be ok? Thank you. Tom Russell

Tom Russell, Dana Middle School: . . . . Sun, Nov 18, 11:34PM PST (-0800 GMT)
An Educational Outing To The Huntington Friday, 11/16/01 Our day started at the classroom of the TLCG offices at 8:00 A.M. After an introduction by Beverly Royster we spent some time refreshing our acquaintancewith the Camp Internet website. We watched a film about the classroom applications of GIS software, the received a briefing of our trip to The Huntington by Brian Bartlett. We arrived and assembled at The Huntington at approximately 10:30 A.M. Just inside, at the our first waypoint (#1), we received an introduction and orientation to The Huntington. We started using the GPS units here, recording our first waypoint coordinates. I was taking photos, and my partner was taking the GPS readings. I will attempt to include the photos in this report. We still need to work on our coordinate data; and if there are any changes, I will change this report. Waypoint #1, just inside the entrance was located at: 34 deg, 07.644 min North latitude; 118 deg, 06.675 min West longitude; elevation 665 ft. We wound down a road next to the palm garden, and stopped at the upper end of the Desert Garden; waypoint #2: 34 deg, 07.620 min North latitude; 118 deg, 06.624 min West longitude; elevation: 630 ft. We learned that this is one of the most valued collections of cactus and succulents, including many species of plants that are endangered or extinct. We saw Many interesting plants on the journey through the garden, including the Boojum Tree, and the Golden Barrel Cactus. The Golden Barrel Cactus was located at: 34 deg, 07.561 min North latitude; 118 deg, 06.611 min West longitude; 589 feet elevation. At the bottom of the Desert Garden we crossed to an area with grass, deodar cedars and redwood trees, among many others, a definite climate change. This was the area just before the Australian Garden area, where we visited the restrooms. Traveling north, we found the lily ponds. The lily ponds were teeming with koi, and there were mallard ducks dabbling for food. The Lily Ponds were at: 34deg, 07.521min North latitude; 118deg, 06.694 West longitude; 596 ft. elevation.We made a quick hike through the Australian Garden to the Japanese Garden Road, and gathered at the Wisteria Arbor, overlooking the Japanese Garden. The Wisteria Arbor was at: 34 deg, 07.565 min North latitude; 118 deg;06.915 min West longitude; 610 ft. elevation. After the gathering at the arbor, we broke for lunch; and following lunch, reconvened at the Boone Gallery. The Boone Gallery was located at: 34 deg, 07.667 min North latitude; 118 deg, 06.928 min West longitude; elevation: 630 ft. The Boone Gallery is currently exhibiting a collection of American art LURE OF THE WEST from the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The paintings and sculptures from the 1820s to the 1940s are by Catlin, Bierstadt, Moran, Remington, and others. I especially liked the very large (72 in X 120 in) Bierstadt painting: The Sierra Nevada In California. (In fact, I just ordered a print of it from: button and you can also go there and find prints of paintings you like!) After leaving the Boone Gallery, we went to the Japanese Garden. The Bottom of the Japanese Garden was located at: 34deg, 07.666 min N latitude; 118 deg, 06.933 min West longitude; elevation: 529 ft. This is a very beautiful and artificial garden. It is very carefully arranged and managed, and has the look of a Disney garden or a painting.The Japanese maple trees are beautiful, although losing their leaves now. But the most amazing plant there are the Sego Cycads (not really palms ? the are actually gymnosperms!) At the top of the Japanese Garden is the Japanese (Ikebana) House. The Ikebana House is at 34 deg, 07.666 min North latitude; 118 deg, 06.933 West longitude; elevation 529 ft. It is a beautiful display of a traditional Japanese house. After leaving the Japanese Garden, we went to the Library, which was at 34deg, 07.643 min North longitude; 118 deg, 06.713 min West latitude; elevation: 677 ft. This is the most magnificent library available to us. It contains priceless works of literacy significant to all subjects. There is a Gutenberg Bible; an Ellesmere Chaucer?s Canterbury Tales; works of Shakespeare; works by Hooke, Vesalius, Schleiden, Schwann, and Audubon. It is amazing. The Huntington is one of the largest and most complete research libraries in the United States. This was a very interesting and inspirational trip. I plan to return. Thank you. Tom Russell Dana Middle School I still cannot get my photos on here. Help.

thehotdrpepper: . . . . Tue, Nov 20, 10:56AM PST (-0800 GMT)
As the first time to visit the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens I found it interesting to see the unique collection of plants and exhibits. A few hours is inadequate to explore or see the uniqueness that this place can offer. The park represents an opportunity to see and experience vegetation that may no longer exist in its original setting. There were North American desert biome representatives, Australian plant representatives, and Japanese culture representations. As the other members of our tour group I took a series of GPS readings to create a track. Comparing my readings to others in the group indicate that my GPS is reading compariable to other in the group. The Cactus garden as my start point (N.34* 07.543?, W.118* 06.606?, 571 ft). The Koi pond (N.34* 07.530?, W.118* 06.794?, 605 ft) and the Japanese Garden (N.34* 07.566?, W118* 06.926?, 618 ft). As with any new application, practice improves the skills and fine tune the results. The students will find it interesting and commonplace to use such instruments in the future. Enjoy the tranquility. Monte Barger (thehotdrpepper) - Fleming MS

: . . . . Tue, Nov 20, 0:03PM PST (-0800 GMT)
Ms. Gomes, Nightingale Middle School - For want of a better place to make reports, the students and parents who accompanied Mr. Meyerhof, my partner, and I on a trip to the Southwest Museum this morning are posting to the family field reports. The visit with the docents covered the Southwest, California and Northwest Indians which gave the students an in-depth look at the differences among the climatic regions and the resulting civilizations. The information that the children have been gathering from the various digs and lessons for the Global Gardens unit, helped them to ask more cognitive questions and to think with more complexity about these various Native groups. They work in teams so they can be more attuned to the plethora of information available. As the humanities teacher I'm helping them look differently at the information they would otherwise gloss over in favor of "getting through" material and the result is very gratifying. I'll be posting again before the end of the week as I utilize the holiday weekend to gather my thoughts.

L. Walker Palm View Coachella: . . . . Thu, Nov 22, 2:40PM PST (-0800 GMT)
I visited the Coachella Preserve near Palm Springs longitude is –116.30979 and latitude is +33.83756 and the elevation is 521 feet. Here are some of the discoveries that I made……. The Coachella Preserve protects sand dunes, mesas, and palm oases. This preserve has one of the largest groves of Desert Fan Palms in the state of California. The Coachella Preserve is home to many rare plants and animals, such as the Fringe-toed lizard. The Mission Creek Branch of the San Andreas Fault runs very close to the Coachella Preserve. The fault creates a dam, forcing the ground water to the surface. Palm Oases occur along earthquake faults throughout the Colorado Desert region.

L. Walker Palm View Coachella: . . . . Thu, Nov 22, 2:43PM PST (-0800 GMT)

L. Walker Palm View Coachella: . . . . Thu, Nov 22, 2:49PM PST (-0800 GMT)

L. Walker Palm View Coachella: . . . . Thu, Nov 22, 2:59PM PST (-0800 GMT)
The pictures show a palm oasis and the desert surrounding the Coachella Preserve. For more information go to their web page button

Marcy, Camp Internet: . . . . Fri, Nov 23, 10:27AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Here are a few more images from the Huntington courtesy teacher Jonathan Weisbart ... see how to add one to your report in instrcutions above .... ..... ........ ......

: . . . . Fri, Nov 23, 10:59AM PST (-0800 GMT)

: . . . . Sun, Nov 25, 7:44PM PST (-0800 GMT)
Carmela Gomes-Nightingale Middle School-GPS information from Huntington Gardens - First of all, my unit gives altitudes and readings different from others. Therefore, if we don't agree on the readings, so be it. After leaving the steps at the end of the patio behind the entrance we stopped at the path where there is separate path to the left to enter the Desert Garden. My readings were Alt. 637' 34.07.623 N Lat., 118.06.629 W Long. At the end of this path as it enters the garden the readings were Alt. 610', and the last three digits (seconds) for Lat.were .590 and for Long .591 By the time we had reached the golden barrel cactus the readings were Alt. 597' and Lat/Long Seconds were .561/.610 The GPS unit displayed a winding path with flags to show these new locations. At the Euston Gate the Alt was 576' Lat/Long .497/.633 the lowest point and a pivotal indication on the GPS unit. By the time we reached the "latrines" where we were to follow the path to the Coy Ponds the Alt. was 598' Lat/Long .491/.685 The area around the Coy Ponds gave me an Alt reading of 591' and the seconds ( in case you forgot my shorthand) for Lat/Long were .530/.692 which indicates we had made something of semi-circle in our path. At the South Pavillion we had dropped Alt 582' and Lat/Long .511/.913 We climbed the roadway to the Arbor overlooking the Japanese Garden where the Alt was 702' and the Lat/Long .562/.917 Happily it was time for lunch so we made our way to the restaurant where the Alt. 680' and the 34.07.602 N Lat. and 118.06.853 W. Long which, upon observation of the map issued to us at the beginning of our jaunt indicated we had succesfully completed the 0.8 mile walk with a modicum of accuracy. Now, for the rest of the trip, after lunch we went to the Boone Gallery where I found the primitive earlier paintings to be the most interesting. I bought the book about the exhibit because there are some fascinating folk art effects that the earlier painter George Catlin produced. The articles that coincided with all this study in the LATimes this weekend are the experimental forest in San Dimas, the critic's remarks about the Lure of the West exhibit and the GPS nuts that roam the Santa Monica Mountains, etc. Enough said!

Owl-Z: . . . . Sun, Nov 25, 10:27PM PST (-0800 GMT)
Al Zabloski, Fleming Middle School, Lomita, Ca. The most exciting exhibit for me at the Huntington last Sat, Nov 17 was the Japanese garden exhibit. (530 ft elevation, N34’ 07.650 /W118’06.891) I had lived in Japan and lived in a house similar to the Japanese house on display. At the Koi Pond (578’ elevation, N34’07’495, W118 06 634) I had another flashback to a temple in Kyoto, Japan I had visited. The Australian forest and foliage exhibit (similar to the rain forests of Queensland and the Cactus gardens (640 ft., N34.07.650, W118.06.640) is a native to the American South West. I enjoyed the day there in Pasadena, as it took me around the world in an afternoon; At the Boone Gallery 630ft’, N34’ 07.660/W118’ 06.690") I enjoyed the American Indian display of Lure of the West . I will return . After this practical demonstration and use of the GPS unit , I am making plans to use the unit in the relative neighborhood around our school. We will be visiting the Lomita Railroad Museum and some points on the Palos Verdes Peninsula after we get back from the Thanksgiving holidays. Owl-Z

L.Johnson2Peary Middle School: . . . . Mon, Nov 26, 9:36AM PST (-0800 GMT)
My experience attending the Huntington on Nov. 16th was phenomenal. Our trip was instrumental in becoming familiar with our GPS unit and introduction to the various plants life. The trip was perfect a for a tactical and kinesic learner of my type. The hands on application of the GPS while we toured the Huntington was an excellent icebreaker to feel my way around the unit. After a brief introduction of the Huntington, I learned how to mark my point on my GPS. The tour of the Desert Garden was breath taking. I marked 8 points on our tour: Beginning, top of Desert Garden, Golden Barrels (cool!), bathroom (very important), Pond (wow!), South Pavilion, and the Japanese Garden. The GPS unit has more features than I was aware of and my colleagues were more than helpful sharing their knowledge. I always benefit from hands-on experience and discussions with other teachers. This trip ignited the GPS unit and integrated it into the current activities of Camp Internet for my class.

San Miguel Eduardo Bonilla: . . . . Mon, Nov 26, 0:49PM PST (-0800 GMT)
THe Huntington was a great experince for us. We were able to use the GPS unit while we toured the Gardens. THis gave us a great hands on experience using the GPS. It also allowed us to find our way back throught the smae rout we took. I feel that I am ready to start using my GPS with my students to map the perimiter of our school and to find key areas of our school using the GPS.

Joel Ginsburg - Eagle Rock High : . . . . Fri, Nov 30, 3:21PM PST (-0800 GMT)
Thanks Carl for a great day. Coming in with limited knowledge of the program, it's expectations, and possibilities I'm not leaving that way. Thanks also to Marcy, Barbara and specifically Beverley for their assistance in getting here. There will be a lot of teachers getting e-mail this evening. Check us out. button

Marcy, Camp Internet: . . . . Thu, Jan 10, 4:43PM PST (-0800 GMT)
Greetings Campers - we will be starting a cycle of FIELD TRIP REPORTS with GPS readings for the next month to exciting locations - Huntington Gardens and Gallery, Malibu Lagoon, Oakbrook Chumash Center, Adamson House and Malibu Lagoon, and Low Tide at Santa Barbara. Teachers will be from LAUSD and other districts, so please post informative reports that your colleagues will enjoy reading. Have fun!

Carl, Camp Trainer: . . . . Sat, Jan 12, 7:06PM PST (-0800 GMT)
Following a classroom demonstration of field report techniques and the Camp Internet GIS center, I had the pleasure of joining LAUSD teachers on a field expedition January 10 to Huntington Gardens........................................................................................................................... The Desert Garden (34.12622 Lat, -118.11004 Long) enthralled me so much that i returned there at the end of our day. .............................................................................................................................................. I also loved stepping into the bamboo forests. ......................................................................................................................................................... I very much enjoy working with fellow Camp Internet teachers. If you wish to utilize any of the photos taken on our excursion to Huntington, you may find them here: button

Marcy, Camp Internet: . . . . Sun, Jan 13, 3:52PM PST (-0800 GMT)
Sounds like it was a great trip to the Huntington - we look forwards to seeing everyone's reports soon !

Mrs. Rivera @ Taylor School: . . . . Mon, Jan 21, 0:31PM PST (-0800 GMT)
Visit To Oso Flaco Lake and Dunes Tom Neuman, our wonderful guide, greeted us at the parking lot (N35.02901, W120.61759). Meet Tom Neuman… We headed down the causeway and it wasn’t long before we found a Dusky-footed Wood Rat’s nest. These nests look like piles of leaves and debris. They can grow to be 7 or 8 feet, because the wood rats add on to it every year. This is what these nests look like… Just down the way we found Hooker’s Primrose (N35.03085, W120.62005) And some Russian Thistle (N35.03085, W120.62041) (The photograph was too blurry to post). We saw some American Coots on Little Oso Flaco lake before going on to Big Oso Flaco. The bridge over big Oso Flaco lake begins @ N35.03113, W120.62041 and ends @ N35.03052, W120.62555. This is a view of the bridge heading west towards the ocean with a little island to the right. There are several islands like this one on the lake. They are mostly covered with sedges like these… From the bridge we saw Double Brested Cormerants Flocks of birds in flight and an American Bittern The workers who built the bridge had some fun leaving their mark. Here is one of the happy faces they left as a record of their work… This happy face is located @ N35.03052, W120.62333. On the other side of the bridge we get into a Dunes Scrub Habitat. This is a photograph taken from the west end of the bridge @ N35.03052, W120.62555. Along the walkway we found Blue Lupine as well as Silver Bush Lupine and Beach Primroses and some very dainty Western Asters There are a lot of exotics (imported, non-native plants) on the dunes. A lot of these are remains from when the Dunites (people living on the dunes) inhabited this area. The department of conservation is trying to control these “exotics” . At N35.01899, W120.57604 and N , W we spotted Sand Treadder Cricket tracks. They almost look like bicycle tracks… At N35.01899, W120.57604 we also found a Kangaroo Rat hole and tracks Not far up the path we encountered a group of people from Menlo Park who had come to do some bird watching. They had a powerful scope with them and had a bird focuses in their viewer. I have yet to find out what kind of bird it was, but here is a photograph of the bird through the scope… View of the dunes and the ocean Our final destination was a grand dune. To be more specific, a Barkan dune. This is a crescent shaped dune formed in this shape because of the wind and how the sand bounces off of the ground. At this point our location is N35.03460, W120.62788 Barkan Dune at Oso Flaco On our way back we found a Dune strawberry From the bridge we spotted a Kingfisher (no photo available) and a couple of Cinnamon Teal Ducks At the end of our journey we arrived back at the bus and could not catch a satellite to post our reports : ( Maybe next time : ) Mrs. Rivera You can email me @ jrivera@campinternet.net or jrivera@smbsd.k12.ca.us

Nancy Ortiz, Los Olivos Elementary School: . . . . Mon, Jan 21, 8:54PM PST (-0800 GMT)
Oso Flaco Lake and Guadalupe Dunes Hike by Nancy Ortiz (www.dunescenter.org) Our small group was greeted by Tom Neuman, the Dunes Center Education Coordinator. Mark 1: N 35.02912, W –120.61740. He generously opened up his car and presented each of us a free CD about the Dunes Center. He loaned us binoculars too! We shared our use of GPS, with marking points of interest, so he aptly directed our tour to plants and tracks unique to the Dunes area. Mark 2: N 35.0293, W –120.61798. A pair of dusky-footed wood rats have built a first-floor house. Tom told us that each year the houses get larger and taller by an addition ofa new “floor”. He told us these houses were like the Motel 6 in the animal world. Voles and other small animals took up residence in the layers under the newer floors. Mark 3: N 35.03086, W –120.62008. Hooker’s Primrose. The tall yellow plant is one of the few remaining flowers in the dunes. We asked about the tall skinny plants on both sides of the main walk and Tom taught us a rhyme for remembering them. “Sedges have edges, reeds are round, grasses live near the ground” (or something like that). Mark 4: N 35.03119, W –120. A cute Ruddy Duck, a male because of the blue beak, floated in Little Oso Flaco Lake. We turned left, onto the man-made bridge(of recycled plastic boards). Mark 5: N 35.03053, W –120.62329. From the middle of the bridge we were able to use our binoculars to identify some unusual water birds, like the Bittern, King Fisher, and the Western Grebe. In the distance, a hill is covered with Giant Coeopsis, the Dr. Suess plant. The area is on private land, so is preserved. Tom said that in the spring that you can find 50 different kinds of wildflowers there. He also pointed out the transition zone from the Riparian habitat to the Chaparral habitat. Willows mark this habitat change, where animals hide until they venture into the lower plant habitat of the Chaparral. Mark 6: N 35.03060, W –120.62476. Our tour of the chaparral plants began with some familiar plants, like yarrow, lupine, and buckwheat, and some unfamiliar, like the Senecio (groundsel), yellow arboreal lupine, false heather and an African invading plant, the slender-leafed ice plant. Mark 7: N 35.03060, W –120.62476. This was a quick trip to a Barkan sand dune, where the wind was showing its’ ability to create the moon-shaped dune. Tom told us that these dunes usually had a 38 degree angle, because of the sand particle sizes unique to this area. We went back to the cars and played with our GPS units to see how fast we could walk on our return trip. Birding people shared sightings of other birds. It’s neat that these “birders” share their enthusiasm, with novice learners and experienced alike.

Marcy, Camp Internet: . . . . Wed, Jan 23, 9:02AM PST (-0800 GMT)
Good Morning Campers - be sure to combine GARDENS and ART discoveries in your reports today. Have a great expedition!

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