Tropical Storm Isaac

We took precautions here in deep South Dade this past weekend as threats of Isaac were close at hand.
We were cautious out at the C111 site and removed and protected some of our more sensitive equipment. Although we did not receive a direct hit by the storm we did receive some rain and wind. The sites close to the Loveland slough, although higher in elevation than some of our other sites, was one of the areas that can not handle a big rain event and the pictures are an example of this. Luckily there were no crops planted at the time.

Approaching VC1 site with obvious overflow of the Loveland Slough

Flooding in the fields adjacent to Loveland Slough

More flooding of fields near the slough

AIM 2012 Conference

Nicki did a great job presenting her research at ASABE! Yeah Nicki! She presented her field study results and had good attendance.



 Likewise, Isaya gave an excellent presentation on his MODFLOW modeling. I was very proud of both of them and their hard work paid off!

 We ran into some old friends (Nicholas)!! Yes, we are in a limo!! And, made some new friends (Hebert).

 We also were super excited to have Kaileigh (2011 REU) with us at the conference. She presented her REU poster and it was very impressive!

I hope we all see each other again next year in Kansas City!

Summer 2012: Gametime!

I recently produced a video for Dr. Kati Migliaccio’s Water Resource Engineering Program at UF-TREC. This video summarizes the work of this summer’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) students: Evan Wesley and Jacob Powell.

Jacob & Evan: REU Poster Day, ABE Bldg Atrium, UF, Gainesville, FL

SouthEastern Conference v. EvapoTranspiration

 Snapper Creek Canal in Miami-Dade County

In the past, I’ve been able to develop the REU videos together with the students over the course of several production meetings before any filming ever took place. This year, however, production would formally begin only several hours following our only face-to-face planning meeting. Cause for concern? Perhaps. But then I met Evan and Jacob.

 Evan & Jacob: Holdin it down for the SEC

Prepared, collaborative and invested, there is no “trying” with these students; there is only “doing.” At their suggestion, we would not shoot two videos, one for each study; rather we would film only one, with the two investigations as narratives complementing each other - a bold choice, the first of many over our two-day shoot.

One-take wonders

 Jacob in the groves

So what do you get when you bring together two camera-ready dynamos and myself - eager to get back into short-form production after a five month hiatus? The result speaks for itself!

Evan & EddyCo 

We shot throughout TREC’s verdant expanse and on-location in the unforgiving sun at the shade-free Snapper Creek Research Area in the suburb of Kendall. Crane shots, tracking shots, zooming shots, odd angles, everything was on the menu with Jacob and Evan, and often executed successfully in one take!

Same time next year!

Evan Wesley: Estimating ET as a function of Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR)

My understanding is that the REU Program for Water Resources will not continue next year. If this is the case then this was a great pair of students with which to conclude. I am pleased with what we were able to produce and that the timing was ideal for a trip to South Florida to complete this work.

Jacob Powell: Use of Bowen Ratio to Estimate ET in Turfgrass

See the video here.

Holding court: Jacob schools his REU peers

See also:
REU 2011
REU 2010