MT. Woodson Field Trip

This Thursday my class is going on a field trip to Mt. Woodson . When I go hiking there, I would like to see a coyote. I think they are a beautiful creature and it would be awesome to see one. I used to see them a lot but I haven't seen one in about 2 years. Coyotes are smart and adaptive, so they roam over much of North America. Coyotes are heard often in Native American folklore. Coyotes used to live in many of the North America's deserts, but right now they are making their home in many forests and even in popular cities such as Los Angeles. Coyote populations are higher than they have ever been before. Coyotes will eat just about everything. They will hunt rabbits, rodents, fish, frogs, and even deer. They also will eat insects, snakes, fruit, grass, and carrion. Because they sometimes kill lambs, calves, or other livestock, as well as pets, many ranchers and farmers will think of them as pests.Coyotes have strong vision and sense of smell. They can also run up to 40 miles an hour! In the fall and winter they will form packs so that they can hunt more effectively. In the Spring females will give birth from 3 to 12 pups. Coyotes are smaller than wolves and are sometimes called prairie wolves or brush wolves. Coyotes are mammals and omnivores. They can live for about 14 years. Coyotes weigh about 20 to 50 pounds. Coyotes are incredible creatures and I really hope I see one on our MT. Woodson field trip!

 

Plastics in the Ocean:

 Nets such as this one, will wrap around dolphins and other

marine animals. Nets and plastic substances can cause death and injuries to animals 

because they may mistake it for food and then choke on the plastics. 

Source of photo: http://www.google.com/imgres?q=Nets+wrapped+around+dolphins

3 facts about plastic pollution in the ocean:

1- Marine debris, particularly debris that is composed of lost or abandoned fishing gear, is recognized as a serious threat to marine life, vessels, and coral reefs.

2-  Fishing gear is a hazard to fish, marine mammals, turtles, sea birds, coral reefs, and even human activities.

3-  During aerial surveys, we observed over 1800 individual pieces of debris, including 122 derelict fishing nets.

source: http://www.5gyres.org

About Me

               My name is Sarah McMurtry. I was born on October 10, 2000. One of my favorite things to do is playing with the dolphins at dolphin point in Sea World San Diego. I made a very strong connection with some of the dolphins there. My favorite dolphin is Cocoa. She is almost four years old and loves to splash!!! I have learned that the hard way! I have known Cocoa ever since she arrived at dolphin point. We are best friends. When she see's me she gets all excited and starts making all of these vocalizations. Cocoa will follow me around the whole pool. She wont leave my side. I met Zuri at the dolphin pool too. Zuri also has a strong bond with the dolphins and orcas. Zuri has a bond with Corky the orca and Monte the dolphin. When I am not at sea world, I am usually at my Karate class, or spending time with my family. I love to swim. I can swim really deep and can hold my breathe for a long time. I also like to go boogie boarding at Torry Pines beach. My dream is to open a dolphin rescue center with my friend Zuri. Thats Me!!!

Where my Mom is From:

             My mom is from Israel. She was born there and moved to the US when she was around ten years old. My mom was born in the city of Afula, which is in the northern part of Israel. However, she lived in Jerusalem most of the time when she was in Israel. She has two brothers, one younger and one older. The schools in Israel are much different then the schools here. In Israel, kids go to school six days a week, from Sunday to Friday. When my mother was in fourth grade, she had 21 subjects! Israel is a Jewish country, but there are also Christians and Muslims living there. Israel is on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, and my mom spent many summers swimming in the warm waters. However she had to watch out for the jellyfish!!! Even though my mom lived in America for many years, she still feels that Israel is her true home.