Blinded by Science!

So we've just concluded day one of collecting data for our independent research projects.  I have a crick in my neck from staring up into the canopy counting epiphytes.  This forest is pretty dry, so there haven't been many epiphytes to count, but the next two forests we'll be going to will be a whole new annoyance.  Clearly, picking feasible and easy projects is not my strong point.  But hey, I'm getting a good taste of what field work in a rain forest is like - fun but frustrating.

Essentially what I'm doing is using a transect to measure 50 meters into the forest.  Then, I record the number of epiphytes one meter to each side of the transect along the entire length (2x50 square meters).  Mind you, that's the number of epiphytes all the way up into the canopy.  Sometimes I have to whip out the super awesome binoculars to see further.  It's pretty legit... Anyways, I'll be doing this every day for the next 2 weeks.

Check out those epiphytes on that palm tree (all the bright green frondy looking plants)

The start of our first transect (a method for measuring sampling distance)

Heading 50m into the jungle.  No big deal.  We're professional bushwhackers now.

I've been working with the wonderful Simone and Lukas, so we keep each other entertained while we work.  Really, Lukas is chilling with us because he's afraid of being in the jungle alone...but who wouldn't be when you often hear mysterious rustling noises behind you and troops of howler monkeys yelling at each other in the distance.  It's a beautiful, mystifying place.
Speaking of which, yesterday, while working on our pilot studies, Simone and I had a close encounter with an anteater.  So adorable!  It just kinda plodded into our study site, poked around for ants a bit, scratched itself behind the ear, and left, not giving us a care in the world.  We've also seen some beautifully colorful birds, lizards, another armadillo, and a crazy looking spider.

Crazy looking spider

Simone is a bit tired after our day in the forest, 

Blair and Lukas on the way back to the schoolhouse.  Riding in the back of pick-up trucks is the best, fyi, especially on bumpy, muddy roads.  It's a real life Disney World safari ride.

We've got a regular Tarzan with us.,

The last two days have been pretty well jammed with collecting data, analyzing back at the schoolhouse, and being generally exhausted.  However, we still find our time for fun and recreation.  For example, we're currently watching the cinematic masterpiece that will define our generation for years to come...THE HUNGER GAMES.  I guess it's kinda about surviving in the woods, so its kinda relevant.  Kinda.
I was able to talk to my wonderful friends from Princeton via skype last night.  Love you guys so much!!!
I've also continued running - which I can tell you is hard to stay motivated to do after a day in the field.  Simone is keeping me on track.
And here, let's talk about some cultural differences between Panama and the US.  The other day while I was finishing up my run, haggard, gasping for breath, and dripping with sweat, a man leaned out his car and whistled at me as I ran past.  Something along the line of "Hola! Que guapa chica!" was shouted.  It was here I realized: Panamanian men have extremely low standards. Or like blonde hair.  Even better, I was walking with Simone and Blair to El Viejo for some post-field snacks, and we were catcalled by an entire truck of canal-workers.  Literally 15 guys.  And they circled the block and did it again.  I wish I could understand rapid spanish a bit better, but they were generally offering us their love and begging us to take their hearts.  Aggressive, but also amusing.  I just keep thinking how funny it would be if this happened in NYC or Chicago or somewhere like that.  We have of course been warned that this is a (usually harmless) thing to be aware of, but I never imagined the extent.  Ah, new experiences...
That's about it for now.  First week in Panama has almost come to a close.  11 more weeks to go!