My first summer after undergrad, I worked as a “Hecktern” (intern in the Heck Lab) in the Marine Ecology Lab at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab on the Gulf coast of Alabama. We did a lot of fieldwork in seagrass beds and oyster reefs; the gorgeous views of the Gulf made the early mornings wake ups worth it.

Sunrise near Dauphin Island

Getting ready to sort a trawl sample

Iguana

Interns learn to set the long line

Crystal Hightower takes interns to help her collect shark measurements

One of many calico crabs from our fish traps

Hook and line fishing success!

Fishing by the rigs

Gulf oil rig

2011 Heckterns! Courtney, Heather, Carrie

Our lab’s boat, the Thalassia!