La Milpa, Day 2

CATHERINE (Belizean student): Its day two here at La Milpa for Belize Field School 2012, really long day yesterday! Participated in the night hike, was very excited to see the nocturnal activity happening here ... Woke up early today to set camera traps for mammals with the NMSU group which was a great field experience to utilize today’s technology for more efficient monitoring of fauna. In addition, it was a great pleasure to assist NMSU students to familiarize themselves with local flora and fauna. On a personal level today I myself developed created a deeper appreciation things that I normally take for granted like having fresh coconut and readily available fresh tropical fruits

ARIANE: Hello all! We went out to set the camera traps today, and got a nice tour of the jungle! The weather is humid but surprisingly nice with a light breeze. Didn’t see many mammals as we were setting up the traps but I did stand in the middle of a fire ant hill and felt their wrath... The highlight of the trip today was probably when Vladimir took us out to set the traps and used a machete to cut open coconuts from a coconut palm. Fresh coconut water is amazing!! The Belize cooks are great and we are definitely eating well!! It’s so refreshing to just stop and listen to all the animals, especially when we go out at night. I miss everyone, Jack, Justin Jillian, Tanya Flint, parents… Everyone

HEATHER: Hi everybody! I have found a slice of paradise here in Belize! Nothing like swinging in a hammock in the shade. This place is so much more than I expected and I love it! I will post more when we have more time!

Roadside Hawk near La Milpa station

Julie, Heberto, Catherine and Ariane (with coconut)

Luis with a ginormous walking stick on his arm

Boykin and Vladamir set up a camera trap

Daniel Macias photographs (a lizard?) Note the headlamp spot in his left hand, camera in right.

Dr. Martha, Melvis and Deeriann help untangle and set up mist nets to catch some birds