Come with us on a research dive!

Come along with as Meadow Walker and I take inventory of the reef! With Paul Walker Foundation for World Ocean Day 2023.

Today's featured animal is the sea hare! Sea hares are crepuscular, which means they are most active at dusk. Learn about everything from their secret defense skill to what their poop looks like!  Let's show sea hares the love they deserve.

I was only in the water for a few minutes, but there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes: scouting a location, checking tide and wind forecasts, preparing the camera, and making sure we have the necessary permits. It takes a team!

My first Portuguese Man O’ War sighting resulted in a sting and a day of diving into the internet to learn more about these awesome and strange creatures. 

The latest in ocean news! New world record for deepest fish goes to the snailfish in Japan. Learn about how scientists recorded this fish and the special adaptations that enable it to live in such extreme conditions!

Tide pooling at Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland was the first time I’d ever eaten seaweed straight from the ocean - and it was awesome.

Pepper dulce is a spicy, truffley seaweed that is sold in coastal towns but thanks to my Irish cousins, I got the inside scoop of where to find it in person. 

Word play and a reminder that we can take individual actions to help keep beaches plastic free. Items found during a beach cleanup with Innoceana in Costa Rica.

I attended a town hall to learn about ecotourism in Tenerife, and what I heard surprised me.

Among other ideas, an increase in fireworks shows was suggested. These fireworks regularly contribute plastic pollution to coastal waters, one of Tenerife’s most diverse and valuable ecosystems. 

A sneak peak at what a day on the water is like with @oceanicexpeditions

I really recommend seeking out small whale watching companies like this because smaller boats make less noise pollution and are not only better for the whales, but also better for you - the whales can be very curious and it makes for a very intimate experience.

@mike_kauffmann and @marybarbon followed best practices - when we saw whales, they turned the engine off and often, the whales came right up to us! It was so special and I can’t wait to go back.

Come with me on an Earth Day Adventure (aka a great excuse for a hike, beach cleanup, and swim).

Wavy bubble snails come out at night to feed on small worms. Let's take a flashlight and a buddy and head to the tide pools to see what we can find.

Wavy bubble snails come out at night to feed on small worms. Grab a flashlight and a buddy and let's see what we find!