Biology Field Trip

Last Saturday we took a field trip to Yaquina Head near Newport for Krista and Kathrina's biology class field trip! Sarah and I took this biology class two years ago so we had been on the field trip before, but we had fun returning to the site without having to identify anything, or turn in any homework! (sorry Mrs. Karman)

We love traveling in the van together! Usually Dad drives, Sarah sits in the front passenger seat and helps with directions, and the rest of us find somewhere in the back to be comfortable. We read, listen to music or books on tape and have crazy or profound conversations as the mood strikes us. On this trip Mom embroidered all the way around the edge of a baby blanket she is giving to a friend. Congratulations Mom!

The Yaquina Head lighthouse overlooks the tide pools.

Kathrina and Krista hard at work identifying specimens.


Cody and Taylor, two of their classmates, identifying with enthusiasm.

The girls had to identify at least one specimen from twelve phyla. They were supposed to draw five of them, but it was raining so hard drawing was impractical.

The photo on the left is a sea sponge attached to a rock. The sea sponges almost look artificial with their bright orange coloring!


Rockweed

Sea Anemone

These Sea Urchins had actually dug themselves little depressions in the rock.

A Sea Star (Hurray! I still remember something from my biology!)

Another view of a Sea Anemone and Sea Star. The Sea Anemones are fun to touch - they stick to your finger rather like velcro!

A crab Mom found

The beautiful tide pools at Yaquina Head. It was rather stormy!

Of course, we made a day of it and played in Newport for the rest of the afternoon! We stopped in a glassblowing shop, walked on the beach, bought fudge and taffy and had a lovely dinner at a Thai restaurant. Oh yes, and we got home at 10:30 p.m. - rather early for us!

~ Janna Rae