My first day working in the field also happened to be my first day working in person with researchers of the USDA-ARS. I woke up at the not so bright and early time of 4 am and I left at 5 am for Tillamook Bay. This was a two-hour drive and we started with field work right away at 7 am to take advantage of the low tide.
We donned our waders and lugged all of our gear to the mud flats. These mud flats are thick and sandy making it quite difficult to walk through, some areas being more difficult than others. I definitely fell and got stuck in the mud multiple times.
Part of the area we worked in was previously used as oyster aquaculture, pictured below is PVC pipes oyster lines were attached to.
We collected different species of burrowing shrimp, one of the mud shrimps I found is shown below.
My first day in the field may have been difficult but it was very cool to see the species I’m studying in their natural habitat. Although the drive was long and early, it was beautiful getting to see the Oregon coast along the way.
This is very cool. I can’t wait to hear more about your research and outcomes from studying shellfish in their natural habitats.
This is so cool! I’m excited to hear more about your project as you continue.