...they had to tell the nature lovers to stop...

department trip: one of our many stops to look at the wildlife

The past couple days have been tiyul (trip) days with my lab.  Yesterday, was a department-wide field trip to the Carmel.  We hiked in Nahal Oren, saw the memorial of those killed in the Carmel forest fire, and hiked on the Forty Cliffs.  We were traveling with some of the country's leading nature specialist.  We had bug people, mammal people, rodent people, plant people, bird people, reptile people, coral people, fish people, history people, soil people, and geology people.  Needless to say, every few meters we stopped for an explanation, a story, or just to observe.  It was so Israeli when everyone, students and faculty alike, kept picking leaves and flowers and this and that.  Throughout the day, people kept saying, you'd think that the nature lovers would leave the nature alone. Of course, along with the leaves plucked and insects caught, mostly as means of illustrating an explanation, garbage was collected throughout the day on various trails, and we made sure to leave no trace.

Carmel Forest Fire Memorial

the cows that ate breakfast with us

Today was a trip with just my lab.  We were celebrating our professor's 50th birthday.  Because we primarily study birds in my lab, we decided to push him off a cliff to see if he could fly.  Pictures are below.  The day was a nice one spent eating, learning about the region, the Gilboa, and relaxing by a natural spring.  We planned a hike, but after pushing Ran off the cliff, we had to change our plans.

  

   

I really enjoyed the tiyulim the past two days, and I learned so much from all of the researchers I hiked with.  My roommate always introduces me as a biologist, and now I feel like I am slowly making my way down that path.  I have learned, though, that in order to be a real biologist, there are a few things I need.  Below is my list of things to be a real life biologist

Real Life Biologist: A Shopping List

• Binoculars...good ones
• A binocular case
• A fancy camera (not required, but recommended)
• A floppy hat
• Cool (read dorky) zippy pants: fast drying, zip-off pants with a ton of pockets
• A really big camping backpack
• Loads of sunscreen
• The ability to eat food off the floor (check)
• Hiking boots
• A knife
• Wool socks
• Spare boxers (for swimming on a whim; much better than being pushed in fully clothed) (check)
• Walking maps (specific to the various regions of Israel)
• Driving maps
• A vehicle (preferably a jeep)
• Innate knowledge of history, wildlife, flora, etc.
• Books to gain lacking innate knowledge: bird book, plant book, animal book, history book  (I am starting the collection)
• mp3 player and mp3 clips of bird songs
• Mess kit: camping utensils, mug/glass, plate
• A water bottle (check)
• A fleece (check)
• A micro-fleece
• Scuba certification
• Scuba equipment

water bottle and fleece: check

I think that just about covers it.  We shall see what the next field days bring to my attention.