00am out side so we could get out in the warm air. Dr. Marsha Green and Joyce O’Neal gave turns introducing the staff and then we were given an introduction to research techniques and the equipment that we would be using throughout the course of the internship. We were divided up into research teams to help with the organization and then were given some examples of how the research we were doing would make an impact on every thing from the legislature concerning marine mammals to the basic information and ideas that would be taught in schools. We were given a lunch break and then groups 1-4 were to meet in front of the hotel at 1:30. We were to go and do some field training with the equipment and help learn the correct jargon to describe the different behaviors that the hump back whales make during their movements through the waters surrounding Maui. One example of the terms used is the phrase “Blow.” This is the term used to say that we spotted a spout of water from where a whale had surfaced and took a breath. After one of the individuals with binoculars spots a spout we yell blow and then give the coordinates of where we saw it so that the person operating another piece of equipment, called theodolyte. This piece of equipment was used to get exact coordinates to later calculate the proper distance to the whale from our spot on shore. As well as the distance of the whales from any boats or other pods that are in the area. Between the times of 1:30-5:00 I was able to witness many different behaviors of the whales such as numerous breaches, tail slaps. And surprisingly the weather was very cooperative. The air had a breeze and the temperature was hot in direct sunlight, but when it dives behind a cloud the temp was perfect. I was one of the individuals manning the binoculars and the view I was getting through the high powered lenses was almost like I was out on the boats right next to them. This is defini...
