The Whale Museum, Friday Harbor, WA

To complete our marine naturalist training, and to be certified, we are required to do a practicum consisting of ten hours at The Whale Museum.  I completed four hours last Friday, and another four yesterday.

I have to say that it has thus far been a very rewarding experience! The students have been asking some very good questions, and I was happy to answer all of them. I also had a number of questions from adult visitors, both from the US and aboard.  A number of them were quite interested in the transients, and I explained the differences between them and our southern resident orcas.

Of course, while answering questions, one always realizes how much one still needs to learn. I've ordered a few more books and am using the time on the ferry to read and further my knowledge. I also have a personal belief that when I don't know the answer to a question, I do my best to find out, so that if another person asks that question, I will hopefully have the answer.  This has lead to a number of hours of googling when I get home :-)  I don't mind, as I remember one of my favorite teachers saying that we should learn one new thing each day. The questions at the museum are certainly leading me to do just that.

I'll be at the museum again next Tuesday to finish my ten hours, but I'll continue to go and help. I really enjoy what I'm doing now and want to continue.  For more information on The Whale Museum and how you can help, click here.

The proceeds of the sale of my photographs taken over Memorial Day weekend will go directly to the Soundwatch program at The Whale Museum.  To see the photographs and purchase copies, click here.