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Cloud forest canopy
6/15/11–Soltis Center–83F
Exhausted by the spectacle that we observed last night and due to the high levels of cloud cover this morning, we decided against birding, and elected instead to sleep in. When we got up we searched for the vine snake, but found no trace of it, as it likely slunk back into the forest underbrush to digest his meal and hide from predators who would make a meal out of it. After breakfast, our team decided on a path on which to lay the wire from the solar panels to the data logger box. While scouting for an appropriate site, Kevin stumbled upon a ground dwelling wasp nest. He quickly escaped without many stings. On our way to the site, we did not see the eyelash viper by the stream. However, when we returned, it mysteriously appeared.
I joined Chris, Josh, and Kelly in helping the machetero clear several paths. The machetero’s skill with his tool is amazing to watch: like a surgeon’s precision with a scalpel. Wide swings of the blade sliced through the vegetation, leaving downed ferns, vines, and saplings in its wake. He made quick work of several paths. Fortunately, no terciopelos were stirred up as we cleared the brush. We set up the wire, and returned to the Center just as the rains began to fall. People claim that the month has been very dry as of late. It appears that our group has fortunately brought the rain with us.
While the rain continued, our team cut the timber which arrived to construct the frame on which we planed to place the solar panels. Then we put together the stand. The atmospheric interactions group, surveyed, cleared, and flagged our sites for the static chambers in the morning. After a delicious lunch, we ensured that our various equipment (gas chromatograph and hydrogen generator) were working properly by testing the instrument with gasses of known composition. Arelis, Shona, and Samantha went into the forest to collect preliminary data from the two HOBO stations at the mid-level test site. Once they returned, they transferred the data to the computer and put the information on the climate group dropbox. After lunch, Arelis and Samantha helped Dr. Frauenfeld and Dr. Quiring replace the logger box on the 12-meter weather tower. They had to cover it with a tarp because it poured all afternoon, but the operation was successful.
