Why Bad Weather and Resights Don’t Mix

As those who live in Santa Cruz can attest, the weather as of late has been pretty tricky. And by tricky weather, I mean sideways-raining, road-closing, tree-falling, flash-flooding weather. While these storms are excellent for cuddling up inside with a cup of hot cocoa and a good book, they are not very conducive to collecting…Continue Reading Why Bad Weather and Resights Don’t Mix

Gearing up for a Winter with elephant seals

I had never thought about how large elephant seals really are until I was standing next to a sleeping bull elephant seal for the first time, feeling exceptionally small. I have been going to Año Nuevo with the Costa Lab since April 2016 as a fortunate participant in the field course BIOE 128L, yet I…Continue Reading Gearing up for a Winter with elephant seals

Elephant Seal Research Through the Eyes of a New Undergraduate Volunteer

As an incoming transfer student to UC Santa Cruz from inland Southern California, being able to assist with the elephant seal research conducted by the Costa Lab is an extraordinary opportunity. Last week, I had my first day out in the field with the seals; the incredible beauty of watching the sunrise while juveniles played in…Continue Reading Elephant Seal Research Through the Eyes of a New Undergraduate Volunteer