|
Student Reactions to
Shark Valley Field Trip |
|
 (Professor
Stocker)
Click the photos to see the larger
versions.
|
|
Fabiana Miranda
Visiting
the Everglades National Park showed me the importance of Nature. Last
Friday when I went to the
 Everglades Park with my English classmates, I
was delighted with the quietness of the place. For example, when we had
the quiet time, I could hear Nature’s voice in the soft wind. While I was
looking at the saw grass, a huge alligator that moved slowly on the ground
suddenly jumped into the water. His movements were very precise and only
his tail made him swim. In the water he looked comfortable, and he looked
like the king of the lake. In addition, I saw that animals are connected
to each other, and they have an ambience full of harmony. Another thing
that called my attention was the birds. I saw a diversity of birds living
together. Among this diversity, I saw tremendous birds with large legs
that have a specific function for them. When I was at the tower, I saw a
nest with a bird over its eggs. The nest was perfectly constructed by the
bird. When it went to drink water, its legs caught a small fish that was
eaten by the bird. That scene showed me the perfection of Nature, and
humans have to respect their life and not destroy this perfection.
|
|
Santiago
The trip was something
unbelievable; when I got
 there I was so excited, I wanted
to see everything, especially the alligators. First, we started our tour
riding bicycles on the everglades road. I had never been in this park
before, and I knew that there were huge alligators and snakes, which are
dangerous. The experience was very incredible, and everybody was very
tired and happy about the long trip. One of the things that I enjoyed was
to exercise on the bike during the trip, which made me felt relaxed during
the tour. Now I realize that the alligators are peaceful, silent, and
nonviolent animals, if people don’t bother them. In other words, they
don’t get angry if you don’t cross the limits. When I was alone listening
to the animals and nature sounds, I felt myself very calm; and I think
that animals feel this thing too, but when humans get in their land, they
feel uncomfortable and get irritated, and that is why these animals have a
bad reputation.
|
|
Alejo
The trip to the Shark Valley Park in the
Everglades was wonderful. There were many natural species that I have
never thought I was going to have them as
 close
as I did. It was my first time I rode a bicycle like doing exercise and
enjoying the nature. I learned the way I joined to the species to see the
real damage that we, humans are causing to the ecology. I learned that
this is the only way how we realize the damage and think about the future.
The time we sat down on the ground and stayed quiet for a moment was very
important to hear the sounds of the earth. I heard the painful voice of
the different species, trying to tell the world that they are here too,
that they live with us, and they need space. It was kind of a relaxing
moment, but I could not do it with this crying voice. This makes me feel
that I need to do something for it.
|
|
Yureni
The trip to the Everglades National Park was really amazing. I had not
been there
before, so I was very
 impressed with the beautiful nature that the place
has. It was unbelievable to me when I saw the diversity of animals and
plants there. When I was riding my bike, I felt a sensation of freedom
because of the beautiful nature. I have always loved animals and being
close to them. The fact that I saw those alligators in front of me gave a
big impression because I had never seen one in front of me before. That
was a beautiful experience, which I will never forget. I remember when I
sat down on the bridge on the trail and I closed my eyes; I started to
hear the sounds of the wind; I felt if I had an immense peace inside me.
Everything sounded marvelous; it was like a dream. I also found the
natural environment extremely beautiful. When I was in the tower and I
looked all around me it was as if the nature herself had built it. It was
the most perfect natural thing that I had ever seen. Then when we were
coming back, my professor Brad had a flat tired, so Delia and me walked
with him. It was kind of fun because while we were walking we talked about
many things, especially about the nature of the place, I also was
surprised by the birds; they were really beautiful, and many of them were
on top of the alligators, I could not believe it. After all I left my
professor and Delia by themselves and I left because I had to pay my bike,
and they do not. It was a different kind of experience, and to me it meant
a lot. I really enjoyed my trip
|
|
Andrea
This new trip was a good experience for me. I had never been
there and
now I think that it is an amazing place. I learned a lot about American
 diversity. There, I could see many animals. There are a lot of different
kinds of birds that I had never seen before. Another thing that it was
incredible for me was that I could be just right next to the alligators.
This is a new country for me and I want to learn more about it. In places
like that I can really interact with American people and their culture.
In addition, I could learn and exercise mind and body and myself at the
same time. That kind of activity is that I need to do more often. I like
this and I wonder about the quiet time.
|
|
Maylyn
The Everglades Trip
In my opinion, the everglades trip was an amazing experience. It was something new
for me. I had never seen something like that. It was really marvelous. I
 heard the sound
of the nature. There was a sweet sound through my ears. I saw different
kinds of animals such as alligators, snakes, turtles, crocodiles, and
variety species of birds. I also saw a variety beautiful vegetation. All
of those things were near to me, and I could touch them, but I did not. I
was scared because those animals could attack if I did not stay quiet. I
had to maintain calm down during the trip. I also exercised a lot because
I rode 16 miles on bicycle. It was a peaceful place where I could think
and breathe its clear air. I felt a lot of peace inside me because that
place could relax to everyone. It does matter if you are stressful. I
could feel how important is to keep our nature. I think that we should
help to maintain it. We cannot destroy or damage our nature because if we
do that, we also destroy our lives. As you can see, visiting everglades
was a pleasant experience.
|
|
Mei
It was such a great opportunity for us to experience the beautiful
 nature
of Wetlands
in Shark Valley. While I was riding
a bike with group of classmates on the smooth road of the park, I saw a
lot of alligators along the roadside next to the canal. The Baby
alligators looked so cute lying on top of their mommy's back. The family
scene gave me such a warm feeling. One of the best experiences was the
ten minutes I spent by myself feeling the closeness of Mother Nature
around me. I just stood there looking out at the fields of sawgrass and
let my imagination fly. There were a lot of tall trees far away from
where I was standing. The strong wind blew the trees making them look
like they were waving at me, welcoming me to the gorgeous ocean of
sawgrass between them and me. The wind caused beautiful waves in the
sawgrass ocean which beating in rhythm with the movement of the trees. I
also enjoyed the strong wind that made me feel like I was being held,
touched and gently kissed. I closed my eyes enjoying the quiet natural
sounds electrifying me from all directions. I was so relaxing and I felt
free from all my cares and worries. What a wonderful experience it was.
|
|
Addiel
My Reactions from the Everglades
The Everglades, a fascinating place, encouraged me to react in several sensitive
ways. This unique place has the power to attract my mind to where I always
want to be. For instance, I
 found there a new way to create a fantastic
life without time, pressure and inconveniences. Another sensitiveness
that I discovered is the possibility to share with nature. Hearing and
feeling the wild life of many species, for example, drives me to a
magnificent paradise where everything is relaxing and comfortable.
Looking at the diversity of animals, also, is another way to enjoy this
paradise where I can find peculiar birds with their colorful plumes and
strange forms, or I can stand for hours looking carefully to an alligator
and its habit. The most sensitive reaction that I have was when I free
myself and became part of the ambience. At the beginning I did not
noticed, but then I realized that I was caught in the place. This amazing
environment invited me to stay there forever. It showed me how beautiful
is life out there, from where everything is just peace and natural. All
in all, my reaction would serve as an example for those who have not tried
to find their sensitiveness with nature.
|
|
Arelis
The thing that excited me the most about the trip to Shark
 Valley in the Everglades
was seeing the alligators. The day was a beautiful and almost perfect
because I was able to ride my bicycle comfortably and enjoy the mild
weather. When I was in Shark Valley, just two minutes from the main
entrance, I was amazed to see my first big female alligator with thousands
of babies around her. Let me tell you that my first reaction was
incredibly marvelous. I really loved the scenery. While I was continuing
on my way, I could not stop as often as I would have liked to because the
alligators everywhere excited me, especially the crowded meeting place of
small ones. Another interesting experience was to watch the biodiversity
of birds. They were in different sizes and colors. In fact, my professor
Dr. Stocker told me the names of many of the birds. I especially recall
one, the swallow, which reminds me of the story of the Red Pony. In
addition, I spend a great moment in the middle of Everglades, with my
classmates eating and talking about how tired we were. There also was a
tower, a place where I could go up and see the dimension of the valley and
feel the generosity of nature. Finally, I was happy because I had I lot of
exercise riding my bike for over fourteen miles. Of course I could not say
the same for my professor whose bike had a flat tire.
|
|
Rene
Going to Shark Valley park was a notable experience that I
 learned from.
As a student
I figured out that nature is a powerful influence on the human beings. I
had not gone to a park like this before. It was my first time and I really
enjoyed interacting with the nature. I found out that life has special
moments that I have to get pleasure from them. I think this trip helped me
to improve my English and socialize with other people. This kind of trip
opens a door to the real world and shows what nature is like. I
discovered that I am part of it and I have to appreciate it.
|
|
Delia Mayor
Every time that I go to the Everglades I breath deeply and I
 look around thanking
the earth for the gift she is giving me. We never realize how
precious nature is, on the contrary we just exploit it for our own
benefit. I can’t avoid thinking about it when I am in places like the
Everglades. There are already a lot of extinct species due to men’s
action. With the establishment of Miami and other cities we have blocked
the natural course of water, affecting negatively the Everglade’s
ecosystem. But nature can not speak our language, it can not claim for
its rights. That’s why I think we should take care of it. As always, the relation with my classmates was excellent. I had a very
good time
with all of them. I always learn from them and I hope that they learn
from me. It was very interesting the conversation on the way back. I
always like to learn things about different cultures and different points
of views. I enjoyed the visit very much.
|
|
Isavis
Hello Brad let me tell you that it was very interesting to visit Shark
Valley. Like
my father said: “we will never finish
 visiting all the unknown places in
Miami”. I didn’t know about this place, I have never heard about all these
parks that exist here. The variety of birds that live in this park was
awesome; also how the alligators, like wilds animals that are, can live
there surrounding of other kinds of animals. I realized how American
people enjoy being surrounded by nature and; also, share that with their
animals, doing exercises, eating together, but always including animals
and plants like their own family. I think that is an important point in
this society that shouldn’t be lost. The type of vegetation is similar at
my country’s vegetation, except for the climate; we have similar plants in
my country. When I was riding on my way back, suddenly, I felt as if I was
in my country, in a moment I felt at home.
|
|
Olga
Going to the Shark Valley gave me a different and relaxing
 experience. It
took
me out of my routine life and made me forget about my daily problems.
Riding the bicycle, which I have not ridden for several years,
provides me a lot of fun. The most exciting moment was when I stood
apart from the other people and I found myself with nature. I could hear
how nature can express itself through different symbols and with a
specific language. I am still remember how the wind gave me this
sensation of freedom and involved me as well as it did with the saw
grass and the other vegetation around me. In some way I got caught in a
peaceful melody. Besides, a bunch of birds sang at different levels and
with a different rhythm, which made feel like if they were trying to
communicate how happy they were living in such as comfortable natural
reservation. Even though Shark valley is not a place full of a variety
and colorful flora, it is still very nice and interesting place. I hope
that other people could visit and enjoy this natural resource in the
same way that we did it last time.
|
| |
