Three of the groups could collect data conveniently during the daytime hours, but not in the case of the group working on leaf-cutter ants. These types of ants they are studying are only active at night, which means all of the data can only be collected with the use of flashlights and headlamps. But that’s not there only obstacle. Guess what time of day most the rainfall has been occurring? At night. Rain means no leaf-cutter ant activity, so the waiting continues. I am currently writing this blog past midnight, the ant group still isn’t back yet, and it’s still raining…sorry guys!
Despite some of our frustrations with these projects really are a rewarding experience for us because they allow us to further the research done on these subjects, as well as allow us to see more of what lingers out there in the forests. I just talked to a student today from another school staying here and she showed me a picture of a snake they found on a trail digesting a small rodent–looking animal. It was pretty awesome. However, it may not have been as awesome as the monkey some of us saw up in a tree today nonchalantly expelling its feces at us from 100+ feet above us. Bombs away! We narrowly avoided the attack and continued on with our day. Needless to say we are seeing some really cool things and some “crappy” things as well and can’t wait to see what else we can find in this place in the next couple of days!
-Ryan
