Ryan WilliamsSt. Mary’s7 Pursuit Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Table of ContentsFlora and Fauna Natural PhenomenaScience Attitudes in CatalinaSummary

Organisms & RemainsGreat Blue Heron

The great blue heron is one of many marine birds that live on Catalina island. It is a wader bird, which means that it hunts by standing in shallow waters and impaling fish with its beak. They can grow up to 4 feet and have lengthy legs. Herons are very territorial birds, so if you see one it will probably be alone.

GARIBALDIThe garibaldi is one of

many fish you can find in the kelp forests of Santa Catalina Island. It is the California state fish and it is very territorial. The garibaldi eats invertebrates and other small fish, and will more often than not be seen alone.

Photo courtesy of Colin Ballantyne

Organisms & Remains

The brown pelican is one of many marine birds of the California coast. It is an aerialist marine bird, which means that it hunts by swooping down to catch fish out of the water. It has a seven foot wingspan and is native to Catalina Island.

Brown Pelican

Native Flora

The Catalina Island Cherry Tree is endemic to Catalina Island. It is in the shrub family and can grow to 15-20ft. Catalina is a desert environment, so the plants that live there can’t use up to much water. As an adaptation the cherry tree has wavy leaves that need much water.

Catalina Island Cherry Tree

The laurel sumac is a plant native to Catalina Island. It is related to the poison oak and has a toxic smoke when burned. The Native American tribe on the island (the Tonga), burned the wood in a ceremony of manhood. If the boys could withstand the smoke and walked out alive they would be considered men.

Native Flora

Photo Courtesy of Robert Colley

Native Flora

The toyon tree is one of Catalina’s native flora species. It can be found in canyons, on mountain sides, bluffs and can survive at an elevation of 4,000 feet. The toyon tree has delicious looking berries on it, but don’t eat them, they’re TOXIC!

Toyon Tree

Photo Courtesy of Robert Colley

Natural PhenomenaAt Camp Emerald

Bay, the waterfront was facing east, so we could see the sunrise. The sun rises in the East and sets in the West. The sun provides the Earth with the heat that our planet’s life requires sustain life.

On the shores of every beach on Earth there is high tide and low tide. These tides are caused by the lunar phases. When there is a full moon spring tide occurs, which is where the tides are at their highest. When there is a new moon neap tide occurs, which is when the tides are at their lowest.

High Tide/ Low Tide

Photo Courtesy of Sean Byrne

Natural Phenomena

While at camp Emerald Bay the moon was in its crescent phase. It was waxing, which means it was getting bigger. The moon causes tides and waves on Earth, because of his gravitational pull.

Scientific Attitudes

Taking notes is an important part of field research. In the picture Sean exemplifies scientific investigation. Without these notes he might not have the resources and information to complete his PowerPoint.

Handling materials is very important in the lab and out in the field. Marriott and Giana show cooperation by carefully passing the skull. They also show a safe use of materials, by not recklessly throwing it around.

Scientific AttitudesDissection is an

important part of lab and field work. It takes precision and the correct use a materials and tools, such as scissors and pliers. It also took cooperation, because we had to work with our partners in order to do the dissection correctly.

On the 19th of March, we departed on excursion for

Santa Catalina Island. While there we took classes, stayed

in cabins, and had a great time with our friends. We learned about the island’s

desert climate and what plants can live through it. We also

learned about the island’s many different ecosystems and

the species of animals that inhabit them. Our journey to

Emerald Bay was a successful, knowledgeable field study.

Works CitedStar, Sea. Bird Lab. 20 March 2012Hawk, Sea. Fish Lab. 19 March 2012Turtle. Parsons Beach Hike. 22 March

2012Borrowed Photos

Garibaldi- Colin BallantyneLaurel Sumac- Robert ColleyToyon Tree- Robert ColleyTides- Sean Byrne