Author: field-notes

Presenting with Pride

Cielo Tumbokon Rutgers University Tropical Biology- Summer 2023 Glass Frog spotted on one of our night walks! Our last stop on our program was at the Las Cruces Biological Station. Here we took a tour of the Wilson Botanical Garden. During the tour, we saw many different types of plants....

Growing as a Scientist

Taylor Rose California State University Long Beach Tropical Biology- Summer 2023 Working on a study measuring Anole with a vernier caliper Throughout the past 15 days in the OTS Tropical Biology program, I have experienced things beyond my wildest imagination. The knowledge I've gained, especially about the biodiversity of this region, both...

Living one of my Greatest Dreams

Emily Solano Masis Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica Tropical Biology- Summer 2023 Nothing but joy on the Stone Bridge at La Selva Being a Costa Rican, the concept of biodiversity has been ingrained in me since my childhood. Today, I am living one of my greatest dreams as a Biology...

Time is a Mystery

Hiking through the trunk of a tree! Orr Uzan-Tidhar College of the Atlantic Tropical Biology- Summer 2023 This is Orr Uzan-Tidhar, writing to you from the depths of a Costa Rican rainforest (I'm actually typing this up on my laptop in my comfortable bed). Time truly feels elusive here. We're...

Living Life to the Fullest

Abbey Seivert Northern Arizona University Field Practicum- Summer 2023 Lion relaxing in the Hlane Game Reserve Being part of this program, this summer has been the most influential and intense experience of my life. The adventure I have embarked on here has transformed me. Making me stronger, smarter, and granting...

Impalas, the South African Squirrel

Alana Herr Washington University in St. Louis African Ecology & Conservation in South Africa - Spring 2023 Hello from South Africa! My name is Alana and I’m a junior at Washington University in St. Louis majoring in biology with a concentration in ecology and evolution. I’m interested generally in ecology...

An Experience That Marked My Soul

Darilis Martinez-Torres University of Puerto Rico -Mayaguez Tropical Biology in Costa Rica - Summer 2022 Exploring the Palo Verde Wetlands The tropical biology course allowed me to develop in many different areas, both academically and personally. I was able to learn a lot about myself during the past month and...

Birding and Learning

Martin Stoner Macalaster College Tropical Biology in Costa Rica - Summer 2022 Spreading my wings! I arrived in San Jose with no idea of what to expect. Of course, I knew what the course was "supposed" to be like, but I really did not know what was in store for...

Three Stations in 30 Days

Arlene Polar Purdue University Tropical Biology in Costa Rica - Summer 2022 Here I am, making friends with a horse grasshopper I would like to say that this has been the best experience I have gone through. The Organization for Tropical Studies has given me the opportunity to make memories,...

More than a Research Station

Julia Morin University of Connecticut African Ecology & Conservation in South Africa - Spring 2022 There is so much to discover in South Africa! OTS’ field station in South Africa, the Skukuza Research Station is the headquarters for the African Ecology & Conservation semester program. It is a beautiful research...