Sunday, December 29, 2013

Winter Adventures

     The new year is supposed to start off cold so I've been trying to enjoy this unseasonably warm weather as much as I can before the numbers of layers needed makes walking near impossible. Today that meant pulling on heavy boots and heading into the woods to look for turkey tale and Usnia scouting (of which I found none, unfortunately). Surprisingly, my parent's old dog-- although forever a puppy-- followed me out.
 
Red Squirrel paw prints. There's only one section where I've ever seen them in the woods; everywhere else there are only Grey Squirrels
Ash trees bowed by an ice storm years ago

A stand of noble White Pines



   Finally got a self-portrait with him, he doesn't get many chances to go out past the fields, even though he has the freedom too. In the end it started to rain and I was almost dragged back to the house. He kept turning around to make sure I was still following him.
The path goes around and over the drumlin, and has a loop that runs across the top through stands of white and red pines, as well as Norway spruce and the odd hemlock trees and a few large larches.

Deer paths are the best for spontaneous adventures here.

Even found some yellow slime moulds!
 
      It's been going slow, but the beacons are coming along. I hope to finish the third tomorrow, and the fourth by the weekend at least. I'm also working on opening an Etsy shop to sell photo and art prints, as well as some other exciting things (an orange-rose lip balm proved to be a huge hit over the holidays, not to toot my own horn but it's the best I've ever used!). However, the decision will come down to finances and stuff, and the final choice will come out in the next few days with any luck!
     Finally, here's a slice of summer from my internship. I hope everyone had a wonderful Solstice/Yule/Christmas if you celebrate and has been staying warm and illness free!

Friday, December 13, 2013

Feeling like winter

     Well, we got some snow. I also got my two-man tent from Poler Stuff yesterday, and wishing I could try it out outside, but for now my parent's dining room will have to suffice. I hope all of you are staying warm!





Sunday, December 8, 2013

Almost There!

     I've probably said this a dozen times already, but I received a Bachelors of Science this last Friday! Of course, to maximize attendance of the convocation they have it before finals, so I have two of those and projects/papers to finish up this week before I can really say I'm finished. These last 3.5 years have been horribly busy (amazing and informative but still busy and painful) and I'm looking forward to having at least a week or two before looking for jobs and other adult things where I can truly relax and not have anything serious going.
     Although I may be pursuing publication of my research on "The Efficacy of Gastric Lavage in Redback Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus)" and that will probably take a few weeks/months/who knows of more advanced data analysis and writing. At least that won't be directly related to school per say.
     In the mean time I have mycology to study, forensic entomology lab reports to put together and a paper to write, so here are some pictures from Thanksgiving break two weeks ago. (One of the pros of insomnia I suppose is frequently seeing, and occasionally enjoying, the sunrise)


The birds are back, so far I've seen blue jays, juncos, cardinals, morning doves and woodpeckers.

LotR fans: the Beacon of Amun Dim.

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