15 March 2013

All seven mongoose captured today had been previously marked. Our video camera revealed that a cat was the likely suspect who has been messing with our traps.

The crew set out a trail camera at Great Salt Pond trail and captured an image of the white phase of a Great Blue Heron and a sunset.

White phase of a Great Blue Heron at Great Salt Pond, Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, St. Croix, VI.

Sunset over Great Salt Pond, Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, St. Croix, VI.

After lunch we dropped a sad Dianne at the airport. I know how she feels - it is always hard to leave St. Croix, but as Carmen our dear friend at Cottages by the Sea always states: you can't come back if you don't leave.

One of the more delightful residents on this island is the handsome little anole lizard. The video below is a male showing off his dewlap and his upper body strength.

We kept the land crab overnight in a trap bag to collect fecal samples to test for microplastics and then released him back where we originally captured him. Crabs are consumate scavengers and if any creature can find microplastics, it is Mr. Crabs.

Today is a sad day for several reasons. First, we had to pack up all our equipment and prepare for tomorrow's departure. Second, Tom Benedict, the last of the three brothers who built Cottages by the Sea passed away this afternoon. He was born in Frederiksted 82 years ago and died in the place of his birth. His wife Carol died last year. Tom was a gentle soul who was loved by many.