Shoals Marine Lab- Cornell University

In  August 2007 I took a class at Shoals Marine Lab with Cornell University on Appledore Island.  It was completely different from anything I've ever done before.  I went with a friend of mine, Laura Warecki.  We lived in cabins that were just the bare bones of a shelter.  There was running water and electricity, but there was a great need for conservation of both.  The island is a Gull Protected Breeding Ground.  (Please note: there is no such thing as a "sea gull", ornithologists will get quiet huffy about this!)  (Above: Appledore Island, photo by Laura Warecki. Copyright 2007.)

The gulls were a mixed colony of Great Black Backed Gulls and Herring Gulls, both of which are quiet common on beaches all along the East Coast.  However, these were the largest and most vicious gulls I've yet to encounter.  It's also interesting to note that gulls don't seem to sleep, the are awake and calling to each other all night.  Also, August is just about the time when the baby Gulls have grown enough to wander away from the nest and try to learn to fly.  This was very funny to watch and extremely cute to see the "flying babies" but Mom was never too far away for long, and didn't take it lightly if you got too close!

 But more about life on the island!  All of the electricity comes from a large windmill, and it was very windy there.  We stayed for a week and were asked to only shower twice during that time.  I did earn an extra shower though, when a gull chemically assaulted me on the fly by... most unpleasant.  Also, all showers were "navy" style, meaning; turn the water on, get wet, turn it off, soap up, rinse, get out.  Although it was august it was fairly cool temperatures since we were in the middle of the ocean.  Honestly thought, living this way for a week really taught me what I needed and what I didn't.  It opened my eyes to ways I could save water and electricity and I will remember that lesson for the rest of my life.  

The class that I was on the island to take was taught by team of two very talented biological and medical Illustrators named Bill and Claire.  Also assisting them was their graphic designer friend Jim.  Bill, Claire and Jim work in the medical and educational market, mainly on text books.  They demonstrated many media, and innovative techniques within the media.  I never knew that colored pencil could be so striking!  Oh and if you can, you should go! 

http://sml.cornell.edu/sml_cc_bi.html