UW-Stout students in the Natural History of the Neotropics course, along with professors Mike Bessert, front on ground, and Steve Nold, second from right in back, stop in front of a giant strangler fig tree while in Belize in January.
Contributed photo
A brown anole on Isla Zafiro was among the diverse flora and fauna students experienced on the trip.
Photo by Mike Bessert
Student Evan Croft, front, and Professor Steve Nold stand in the shadows of a large kapok tree.
Photo by Sophia Derleth
Fresh jaguar tracks were found near where the class was staying in Belize.
Photo by Rachel Younker
Students Lindsay Penkala, left, and Brianna O’Brien, enjoyed exploring the Tikal cave, an ancient Mayan site, while taking the winter course in Belize.
For student Brianna O’Brien, it wasn’t just when class members hiked four miles up a mountain, guided by a naturalist, to breathtaking views of a double waterfall. Or when they swam in a tropical lagoon at night and witnessed bioluminescence — the water flashing blue from light given off by protozoans that surrounded them.
UW-Stout students in the Natural History of the Neotropics course, along with professors Mike Bessert, front on ground, and Steve Nold, second from right in back, stop in front of a giant strangler fig tree while in Belize in January.
Students Lindsay Penkala, left, and Brianna O’Brien, enjoyed exploring the Tikal cave, an ancient Mayan site, while taking the winter course in Belize.
