Team Arachnology (Hannah, Natalia, Matt Lewin and me, Charles) are finally on the ground in the Philippines. We arrived at Los Baños, and the foot of famous Mt. Makaling, at 0730 this morning after an overnight flight from SFO. Driving through the university campus to the guesthouse we say fallen trees and debris everywhere, evidence of a big wind. Our botanical colleagues, Peter, Darin, and Jim, were on the mountain last night when typhoon Aere blasted through. They came down this afternoon to dry out, organize their data, and prepare for another foray. The arachnologists are organizing all of our gear: pitfall traps, pooters, mini-winklers, duct tape, soap, yellow pans, berlese funnels, puffers and spoons, flight traps, beating sheets and sweeping nets, skilly jars, buckets, string and sieves, litter sifters (a left handed one custom made for Hannah!), claws and shovels. Tomorrow we will climb the mountain and get to work. Since we are still on California time, night, and sleep, should come early.

Arachnologists get organized