Does my proboscis look big to you? 1/9/10

It was an eventful day, yesterday that is, as we kicked off of work earlier due to the lightning data taking speed Kristin and I have achieved. I tried to post last evening but the internet was down. We went and saw some Elephant seals which are currently giving birth and shored up along the coast of California. We saw one get born and the mother having to fend off other "cows" from attacking the newborn. The women on average weigh about 1500 lbs while the males hit about 6000. The largest one ever recorded was 5 and one half tons. I bet he didn't do anything around the house. We also saw this cool little Sand Piper that kept running away from me; I just wanted to be his friend. We went to the farmers market in town today and I think we ended up spending like 40 dollars or so and tons of farm fresh eggs, strawberries, oranges, tangerines, beets, and squash. I love the farmers market because everyone lets you sample their wares. One tent had this delicious dolmas with taziki sauce and still others had lots of olive types foods, sauces, tepanades that was so good. It was a great day for relaxing, but we still got the first of two ectomycorrhizal plots done, though we haven't taken the fungi samples yet, but we're saving that for the remaining 3 days or so. I think it's turning out really well. Kristin and I were revisiting the radio lab episode about choice and it made me realize that choosing these sites is pretty subjective. Don't try and find the big, colorful, odoriferous apple because it might be just as good (or worse) when than the one with the funny name. Just find one that will work and go for it. Sure you want everything to be perfect, but (disregard this next statement) nature isn't perfect. Well, that could be argued right...it's pretty great from my perspective, but designing an ecological study around a dynamic system requires that you and your study be flexible. Insight number one. There is a mushroom hike in Cambria tomorrow that I may attend, sounds interesting and if we get enough done...perhaps we'll check it out. tipton street, i think? Well, it'll be interesting if we find it. Anywho, again, I'm tired and it's 10 o'clock. having a hard time posting photos so I might have to get back to you on that tomorrow. Take care all.