2022 MCC France marine biology study ablog

  This week was super fun and interesting! A baby seagull landed on our terrace and stayed to hang out for a while. We have been watching a nest on the building next door so this was super awesome. I remember when we visited the fish market there was a fully grown seagull stealing scraps from one of the vendors which was fun to watch.  Seeing the different life stages of the birds has been making me think about life cycles and how species depend on one another. The inter species dependence was also complemented by my parrot fish essay, the fish eat the algae which also benefits the corals and literally produces sand!

  This week I had a lot of fun snorkeling in the ocean which is something I’ve never had the chance to do. I think that it helped me a lot not be as scared of the ocean when I go to the beach by seeing all the types of animals that are swimming around in that area. I was surprised to see how many groups of little fish there were swimming around and the vary of the marine animals there were as well. This week I also learned a lot about Angelfish since I chose them to do my essay on. A fact that I learned about them while researching that I thought it was really cute that they stay loyal to their mates their whole lives.   Pufferfish at Musee Oceanographic in Monaco

 This being our last week in Nice, I had mixed feelings. I am ready to go home but not ready for reality. That being said, this week was probably my favorite week of the 3. Snorkeling in the Mediterranean was an experience I’ll never forget. Even though I hardly was able to see because I couldn’t wear my glasses with the goggles, I was still able to make the most of it. The cute little jellyfish that I was able to see was my personal favorite. Then we got to go to the Océanographique Museum which I was looking forward to the most. I love all aquariums and nautical things and this place was both so win-win for me. I was slightly disappointed that the sea turtle wasn’t moving around too much because that’s my favorite animal but I still got to see it and take a few photos. The other exhibits were really cool and for me the other fishes were extremely active.

  This week in the wonderful French Riviera I learned quite a bit about the area. For instance, I now understand the saying “sweating like a pig” quite well and don’t understand why more places do not have air conditioning. Our homestay called the refrigerator, “frigidaire” which is wonderful to hear them say in frustration as theirs went out. Especially wonderful to hear when the replacement refrigerator does not work and they have been having difficulties getting the replacement fixed as well. Had the wonderful opportunity to snorkel in the ocean for the first time and fully understand that I am not a strong swimmer. Photo from Musee Oceanographic in Monaco

  As we come to the last week, or should I say the final days of our program there are many things that I have learned. Especially about the ocean, before I came I knew nothing about the ocean let alone the different kinds of fish. Other than that the water is cold and very salty don’t drink it. For example, you have the different types of groups, you have the boney fish that of course have bones. Then you have the cartilage fish where instead of bones they have cartilage. Then last but not least you have the jawless fish, as the name implies they lack a jaw. And that some fish can show old they are just by how tilted they are. Not only that they can’t pick which side they want to flop. Let alone flip sides, that really surprised me.  

 Snorkeling was something I have never done out in the ocean, it was a great experience I got to see deeper into the ecosystem of the ocean. This area was no coral reef with tropical fish but, I was able to see a variety of fishes I haven't seen before. Being able to see their habitats and how some swim in little schools with each other was very interesting. Seeing the seagrass at the bottom was new as well, usually, I am used to regular seaweed. My favorite part was being able to see a jellyfish, I had never seen one in person before that wasn't beached. Overall, snorkeling was a great and new experience and I got to see more of the fish ecosystem than ever before. Macie Mattocks 

This week we did many things and new experiences for me. This was my first time scuba diving in the ocean after my certification. It is always so weird to me to breathe underwater and the fact you have to consciously do it is so hard. However, I saw multiple things that I have never seen before, the life under water is so much different and unique, hoping that I will be able to keep doing it and on more occasions. Also, we went to the oceanographic museum in Monaco, a great place to get that feeling of what is going on inside the vast oceans around the world. The place was huge and with a lot of history. I have never been to a place like this before and it was magical to see it. The jellyfish and the moray eel were my favorite so scary and dangerous but thankfully I got to see them with not a high percentage of risk. Furthermore Monaco had a lot of cool cars which I love so that was amazing.  -Andrea Janneth Rodriguez

 This week we did something I have been looking forward to for months, snorkeling! Whale watching, which is soon to come, and snorkeling were two of the most intriguing things about this trip to me. I love boats and being in the ocean, so this couldn’t have been any better. On the way to the snorkeling area I was able to sit on the side of the boat with my legs dangling off into the cool water, and watch the waves as I chatted with some new friends I make on the boat. When we got to our spot we all got our equipment and I had to wait patiently as I was one of the lasts to get into the water.  Once I jumped in I slightly panicked from having to adjust my breathing, but after a few breaths I got the hang of it and went on my way. I headed straight for the rocks hoping to see some starfish, although since I was looking down I did not realizing what I was actually heading towards was a jellyfish! When I finally looked up it was only inches away from my face and I immediately swam ...

 A few pics from our underwater adventures off Villefranche sur Mer, near Nice https://photos.app.goo.gl/XR5GPzMD9FYgLDJg8