Demonstration of how to open a Coconut

Demonstrate of how to open a Coconut, originally uploaded by powersdale.

We had learned in class from Lisa that the coconut is a member of the Palm family. The Palm family are monocots which includes grasses and grains.

Coconuts are seeds which can float great distances on the ocean and then spout on a different island or continent.

Mr Frobes winds up to crack open the outer shell of the coconut.

Mr Frobes winds up to crack open the outer shell of the coconut., originally uploaded by powersdale.

One method to remove the outer covering is to through the coconut sharply onto the sidewalk.

Mr. Forbes takes the first toss.

Mr. Forbes takes the first toss., originally uploaded by powersdale.

Shanon throws the coconut sharply on the the sidewalk.

Shanon throws the coconut sharply on the the sidewalk., originally uploaded by powersdale.

Megan takes a toss

Megan takes a toss, originally uploaded by powersdale.

The outer covering of the coconut is cracked open.

The outer covering of the coconut is cracked open., originally uploaded by powersdale.

After the outer covering of the coconut was cracked open, it is time to revome it.

Ripping the cover off the coconut.

Ripping the cover off the coconut., originally uploaded by powersdale.

This partcular coconut was nicely dried out -- which resulted in the covering being hard to remove.

Eyes of the Coconut

Eyes of the Coconut, originally uploaded by powersdale.

One of the eyes of the coconut (the primary one) is the attachment to the coconut tree that nurished the coconut as it grew. The coconut is a not really a nut: It is an ovary.

Tasting Coconut Milk for the first time.

Tasting Coconut Milk for the first time., originally uploaded by powersdale.

With 2 of the 3 eyes of the coconut opened, the juice can be sucked out. This juice is often referred as the milk of the coconut. This was drank by Tom Hanks in the movie "Castaway".

Coconut broken open

Coconut broken open, originally uploaded by powersdale.

Coconut was broken open and the heavy shell removed.

Fresh Coconut

Fresh Coconut, originally uploaded by powersdale.

Many students took the opportunity to take fresh coconut -- some for the first time.

Looking at the Sun with the Telescope

Looking at the Sun with the Telescope, originally uploaded by powersdale.

You should never look directly at the sun using a telescope. One technique is to project the image of the sun on a piece of paper. It is important not to have anyone on the side of the telescope from which the concentrated light exits the telescope

Sunspot on the Sun

Sunspot on the Sun, originally uploaded by powersdale.

By projecting the light from the telescope on a piece of paper, an image of the sun appears on the paper. I am pointing to a sun spot.

Because the Sun rotates around its axis in 26 days, these sun spots move across the face of the sun. Sun spots are storms on the sun. They start out small, grow in size, and then dissipate similar to storms on the earth. Sometimes the sun spot can disappear from view, rotate around the back side of the sun and then come back into view before it dissipates.

Setting a Zonation Measurement

Setting a Zonation Measurement, originally uploaded by powersdale.

The purpose of this excersize is to show how there are different zones on the beach. In each of these zones, different species exist. Someone trained in this field can identify these various zones by their color and other characteristics.

A 1 meter X 1 meter grid is used

A 1 meter X 1 meter grid is used, originally uploaded by powersdale.

This grid is placed over each meter that was to be surveyed. The different species were identified and the number of individuals of each specie counted.

Continuing down the beach

Continuing down the beach, originally uploaded by powersdale.

Some groups encountered rocky tide pools

Some groups encountered rocky tide pools, originally uploaded by powersdale.

On into the water

On into the water, originally uploaded by powersdale.

The survey of species / counting the individuals continued into the water.

Counting species in the Water

Counting species in the Water, originally uploaded by powersdale.

Adam Fulfilled his Quest for a Shrubbery ! ! !

Adam Fulfilled his Quest for a Shrubbery ! ! !, originally uploaded by powersdale.

An interesting plant found in the water in the survey.

Captain Hilary Pilots the Boat.

Captain Hilary, originally uploaded by powersdale.

On the 28th and 29th, we took 1/2 on each day on a cruse across Grahams Harbour. This is a huge harbor -- trianglar shape, having 3.6 miles height (N/S) and 4.2 mile base (E/W). . . . . . . .
Note "Co-"Captian Egbert adjusting the speed of the boat and recommending to Hilary the route to take.

Various birds on Catto Cay

Various birds on Catto Cay, originally uploaded by powersdale.

We sailed (or motored) out to 2 Cays. This is the name for a small piece of land that is smaller than that which is defined as an island. It is pronounced Key (like Florida Keys). . . . . . .
. . .
This Cay has a large number of birds include many Boobies. . . . .
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People are not allowed on this Cay to provide a save haven for the nesting birds.

Lana the Iguana

Lana the Iguana, originally uploaded by powersdale.

A rare species of Iguana lives on Green Cay, which is a little more than 3 miles from the dock we started.

Iguana looking for a handout.

Iguana looking for a handout., originally uploaded by powersdale.

Other visitors to the Cay must have feed the Iguana because just holding my hand out attracted the Iguana. Just after this picture was taken, the Iguana jumped touched my hand.

Shark ! !

Shark ! !, originally uploaded by powersdale.

While in the boat out to the Cays on the other side of Grahams Harbour, we saw 2 sharks. The ripples on the surface of the water distorts the image of the shark.

There is a very nice reef to snorkel

There is a very nice reef to snorkel, originally uploaded by powersdale.

School of Fish

School of Fish, originally uploaded by powersdale.

Leave Sleeping Sharks Lie

Leave Sleeping Sharks Lie, originally uploaded by powersdale.

This shark moved some when students swam near it -- but it was looking for cover.

Everything is OK

Everything is OK, originally uploaded by powersdale.

None of the sharks we saw were aggressive.

Captain Cindy Brings Us Back In.

Captain Cindy, originally uploaded by powersdale.

All Safe in the Bahamas

We had winds and rain yesterday. Students got wet but they enjoyed it. One had minor cuts, but bandages were all that was needed. . . . . . . . . . . . . We have heard that the Weather Channel had reported nearly a hurricane force winds came through the area. We missed the strongest winds, but these winds have caused very high waves, but we are staying in the lab today until things settle down. . . . . . . . . . We will update you further. Computer services were greatly affected. Hard to get information out right now. Dale Powers 9:20 am Tuesday, May 8.