Some days, you find your experimental organisms and make the science. Here’s my ear (and the rest of me) with my tunicate. They’re the bluish blobs halfway down the far left side. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m going to be allowed to sample there, as it’s right outside of a dive resort with a very carefully tended house reef. I hope I find it elsewhere. Of course, if I don’t find it elsewhere, I can assume it’s not invasive and I can just go home. :)

And some days, you find that your study site is occupied - BY A GIANT OIL DRILL! Seriously, it’s right on top of the study site, drilling away. I had no idea they drilled this close to shore. Unsurprisingly, this was outside a fishing village far away from the eyes of tourists.