Journal Entry 6

After watching the Ted Talk about "What are animals feeling and thinking?" it made me truly think about other animals. Growing up, sometimes I would look at an animal and wonder silly things such as do they have birthdays or do they get in trouble. I never really think much about it when watching them interact. A few things from the clip really stuck with me. The elephant and then four days later showing it dead with its trunk detached and its family just looking at it. They have to experience some grief and being sad or terrified. Just as we would if we saw something like that happen to a loved one. I also thought it was interesting with the elephants and the hidden speakers. The sounds of tourist didn't bother them but the sounds of hunters frightened them. It shows that they are aware of us humans and can distinguish between which ones are harmless and which ones they should be scared of. I think that also shows a level of intelligence. Another part of the video I thought was cool was the dolphins. That they new the lady and her boat but wouldn't approach it one day because some died, the dolphins knew that before anyone else on the ship did. Or when the baby dolphin used the milk to replicate a human blowing smoke. It truly is amazing how smart the animals are and how the baby is trying to replicate someone just as a human baby would do. Animals have to learn the same way humans do. Another thing I think about is service dogs, how they can since stuff about the human and be able to give compassion or help them in life. I think it is truly amazing what animals are capable of. It makes me think of the Harambe situation that when the baby fell into his cage he immediately went to protect it, he recognized that is was a child and wanted to protect it as they would their own and what did we do. We as humans killed the animal. I personally don't believe the child was in any danger, the gorilla was just simply doing something the mom couldn't do, protect it. Just as the video pointed out that the killer whales don't eat the humans even though they are right there because that's not what they eat. Overall I think the clip showed a perspective of animals that we don't usually think of and it was interesting to watch.

Journal Entry 5

Monday February 20, 2017

Breakfast:

1 packet of Quaker instant strawberries and cream oatmeal- purchased from Publix then put together myself at home

1 cup of coffee- brewed in Keurig, K-cup purchased from Publix

Snack:

2 Quaker chocolate crunch rice cakes, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and 1 medium sized banana- all purchased from Publix then put together myself at home

1 8oz glass of water- from fridge

Lunch:

Buffalo chicken pita- pre-made at Pita Pit

2 8oz glasses of water- from fridge

Dinner:

Chicken breast, asparagus, tomatoes, and pesto- all purchased from Publix then put together myself at home

2 8oz glasses of water- from fridge

Snack:

2 cups of strawberries- purchased from Publix

1 8oz glass of water- from fridge

Estimated Total Caloric Intake: 1,488 according to https://www.drgily.com/the-calorie-counter.php

I get most of my food from Publix, the grocery store and don’t really think much about where it comes from besides that. I usually try to buy “healthier” food from the grocery store and try to not eat out unless I am too busy. I ate Quaker products for breakfast and a snack and when doing research they get their products from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It had to travel a long way but they are non-perishable items so they don’t go bad quickly. They were packaged in cardboard and plastic. After watching the documentary in class I was curious where the chicken I eat comes from. When doing research the chicken I eat from Publix is their brand GreenWise which is raised in Florida which makes me feel better that it isn’t Tyson but the chicken I got in my Pita or when I am out to eat I have no idea where it comes from.

I would say my food choices are somewhat sustainable. They could be worse, I think getting the Publix brand of chicken is better than getting chicken from some other grocery store. I also believe that since we are in Florida and have the ability to produce most fruits and vegetables year round helps with picking more sustainable produce from the grocery store. However I wish I had the time to go to local farmer markets to purchase my fruits and vegetables. I think that would be more sustainable and it also helps out local businesses and farmers versus big corporations.

Journal Entry 4

At first I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from a walk around Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve. I was really only hoping that I was going to be able to se a gator. At first an few elderly people said they could see one but they were using binoculars. I also have terrible eyesight so I knew I was definitely not going to get to see the gator. However at the very end of our field trip I got to see the gator sunbathing. It was still a little far away for my eyes to see and my picture quality isn't the best but that was my favorite part. I was disappointed by the small amount of wild life we saw throughout our

walk. We did get to see some turtles, the black bird that sits with his wings out so they can dry, and some type of woodpecker. I don't exactly remember their correct names. Another thing that really stuck out to me was the white circular spots all over the cypress trees. I cant remember exactly what it is called but I know it is caused by the air quality. I think it was on every tree there and there were lots of them on each tree. The thing the interested me the most about it was how perfectly circular they were. It was "dry season" when we went so the water levels weren't very high. At the beginning I could see the ground but as you got deeper there was some water. I think the water levels positively affect the plants and animals that live there because it helps them thrive and they have adapted to it and rely on it. The Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve is a unique place in SWFL because anyone is welcome there. Whether you are doing research, want to learn more, or are just there for pure enjoyment you are welcome to go there. It is also great to be able to have places such as this that truly captures the beauty of Florida and what the environment has to offer instead of using it for a more industrialized place. These places are becoming more rare. I don't think that we would have many conservation lands if they only relied on private funds because unfortunately I don't think there would be enough money and I am starting to see how important places like these are to have and I think it is okay to use tax dollars to purchase and help preserve these parts of the land, I don't know how much longer we can live if we no longer have these.